India Has Social Schemes for Poor in Crises like Covid. But It Needs a ‘Who to Pay’ Database

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In The Media

Carnegie India

India Has Social Schemes for Poor in Crises like Covid. But It Needs a ‘Who to Pay’ Database

Large sections of India’s population are invisible to the state. That is why in crises like Covid and lockdown, we need one common social database.

By Rajesh Bansal

Published on Apr 23, 2020

Source: Print

In the current coronavirus crisis and the ensuing lockdown, most migrants in India find themselves suddenly jobless as factories close, supply chains shut down and services freeze. The Narendra Modi government has responded to the crisis by announcing several social protection schemes, including direct benefit transfers for certain sections of the population and free LPG refills, grains and pulses for the poor.

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This article was originally published by the Print.

About the Author

Rajesh Bansal

Former Senior Adviser, Carnegie India

Rajesh Bansal was a senior adviser at Carnegie India. His research focuses on financial technologies, particularly electronic payment systems, electronic cash transfers, and digital financial services to enable inclusive development. He leads the center’s technology and society program.

Recent Work

Paper
China’s Digital Yuan: An Alternative to the Dollar-Dominated Financial System
- Rajesh Bansal, Somya Singh
Q&A
How Will Digital Currencies Change Wallets?
- Rajesh Bansal, Somya Singh

Domestic Politics South Asia India

Carnegie India does not take institutional positions on public policy issues; the views represented herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of Carnegie, its staff, or its trustees.

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