Vaishnaw invites G20 nations for cooperation in digital inclusion, social empowerment

New Delhi: IT Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has invited G20 countries for cooperation towards digital inclusion and social empowerment, highlighting that digital platforms in India have prevented leakages in the delivery of government schemes, an official statement said on Friday. Vaishnaw — at the G20 Digital Ministers’ meeting hosted by Italy on Thursday — said that digital platforms like Aadhaar and direct benefit transfers have not only empowered people in India but have also led to savings of over USD 24 billion in the last seven years.

“Providing digital identity Aadhaar to 1.29 billion users, opening bank accounts of 430 million poor people and linking both these to send the financial entitlements directly into bank accounts has eliminated leakages from the delivery system. Around 900 million citizens are receiving benefits of one or more schemes,” the IT and telecom minister said.