Siddipet assembly constituency, known as fortress for ruling TRS in Telangana is all set to become the first constituency in the country with 100 per cent cashless transactions. Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao, whose electoral fortunes started from here, has decided to make this a `role model constituency’ as per of his take forward the state towards cashless economy.
While Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu is focusing more attention on urban population in shifting towards cashless transactions, the selection of this constituency which provided his political-foothold indicates his desire to concentrate on rural areas.
Presently, the constituency is represented by state irrigation minister T Harish Rao, also chief minister’s nephew. Originally, Chief Minister first elected from here in 1985 entered state assembly. In 2004 polls after electing to both Karimnagar Lok Sabha and Siddipet Assembly, he resigned to this seat remaining as MP after inducting into union cabinet. In the subsequent by-election he fielded his nephew Harish Rao to contest from here. Since then Harish Rao has been electing from here.
Chief Minister is planning to introduce the mobile app TS Wallet which will be made available to all those are eager about cashless transactions, both government as well as private, across the state. He has decided to follow Akodara village model by which transactions only up to Rs 500 can be in cash and over a period of time the government plans to do away with this for hundred percent cashless transactions.
Harish Rao today announced Rs 10 lakh cash reward to the first village attained 100 per cent cashless transactions. The the second such village would be rewarded Rs 5 lakh, he said. Already the government is succeeded in creating awareness on cashless economy among women groups, ration dealers, gas agency dealers, petty traders, people’s representatives and government staff.
Every person in the constituency will be persuaded to open a bank account and RuPay debit cards will be provided to them. Within two days, shops will be provided 6,000 swapping machines.
