Union Minister of State for Finance and Corporate Affairs, Arjun Ram Meghwal, has said that cashless transaction will be of great help in eliminating tax evasion, besides ensuring full scale tax collection.

He was speaking at Digi-Dhan Mela programme organised by the Central Government, State IT Department and the District Administration to popularise digital transactions, at MMC&RI auditorium, J.K. Grounds, in the city on Friday.

Pointing out that digital transaction has got a momentum in the country after demonetisation, Meghwal said that about 60 percent of vehicle owners are now paying their bills through digital mode for petroleum products as compared to 16-18 percent in the past.

Noting that youngsters are going for digital transaction more and more, he said that collection of taxes in full will enable the Government to take up infrastructure works in rural areas.

He said that the thrust given to digital transaction by the Centre has curbed the menace of middlemen in Government programmes.

Observing that India will emerge as a global economic power by 2021, he said that digitalisation will play a crucial role in this.

Dismissing the fears that cash transaction will lose its relevance with the advent of cashless transaction, he said that this cannot happen. Citing an example, the Minister said that the calculator was much in use despite the onslaught of cell phones, which can be used for calculation.

Union Minister for Statistics and Programme Implementation, D.V. Sadananda Gowda said that demonetisation has brought peace to Kashmir and has curbed naxal activities in Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand and Andhra Pradesh.

Stating that Pakistan was funding terror activities in Kashmir using counterfeit currency notes and it came to an end with demonetisation, he opined that the Mela will create widespread awareness about various modes of digital transactions like online banking, e-wallet, phone banking etc.,

Mysuru-Kodagu MP Pratap Simha, in his address, said that technology was making advancements with each passing day and now e-mails have replaced fax.

Mentioning that ultra-modern digital cameras have become essential these days, the MP said that the entire world seems to have been captured in a cell phone.

Highlighting that digital transactions become the order of the day, the MP observed that cashless transaction has helped in maintaining transparency in administration and Government programmes.

On the occasion, the winners of lucky Grahak Yojana were announced. The winners were Vasanth Kumar and Akshay Kumar, who transacted through SBM Bank, Anuttam and Sathyanarayan Rao who transacted through Canara Bank and Natesh Kumar and M.C. Vani, who transacted through Corporation Bank.

EDCS Director Sunil Pawar, NITI Ayog Director Santoshi, Mysuru DC D. Randeep, Mysuru TP President Kalamma Kemparamaiah and others were present.