​Digital workshop​

 By Our Reporter​

SHILLONG, APR 28: As part of promoting cashless transactions and converting Meghalaya into cashless society, a State level workshop on Capacity Building of Small/Medium Businesses and Traders on Digital Payment Initiatives was conducted today by the National Institute of Electronics & Information Technology (NIELIT) at Yojana Bhavan, Main Secretariat, Shillong. The workshop was inaugurated by the Meghalaya Minister for IT, IPR, etc. Dr. M Ampareen Lyngdoh in the presence of the Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Shri. P S Dkhar, SIO, NIC Meghalaya, Shri Timothy Dkhar, Director in-charge NIELIT, Shillong, Shri. S Borgohain.

In her inaugural address, Dr. Lyngdoh said that Digital India is a flagship programme of the Government of India with a vision to transform India into a digitally empowered society. Against this backdrop, the Centre is making a big push for online and card-based transactions in the country to achieve its target of becoming a largely cashless economy, she informed.

Stating that cashless transaction is an important intervention with long term benefits for businesses, traders and citizens and the economy of the State, Dr. Lyngdoh called upon the traders to embrace digital payment and encourage customers to use various modes of digital payments available. She expressed hoped that with the collaborative effort of all stakeholders, Meghalaya will join the rest of the world to absorb in the system and excel in that.

Lamenting on the rise of cyber crime in the State, Dr. Lyngdoh said that it is duty bound for the government to tighten the system and restore the trust of the public. She also felt the need for creation of digital financial hubs in all localities of the State for easy access of the public.

The Deputy Commissioner, East Khasi Hills, Shri. P S Dkhar, in his address, said that digital payment in all aspect is the talk of the day and it is the duty of the government to ensure that all kind of payment go digital. This aspect has been partially achieved in some sectors, he said adding that we should create awareness and encourage citizens to develop new culture to go digital. All stakeholders should have knowledge and equipped themselves, said Shri. Dkhar adding that urban sector like Shillong should be the trendsetter and start the journey towards digital payment. He called upon the NIELIT, who has been shouldered with the responsibility to create awareness on all aspects of digital payment, to travel the State far and wide and educate the people, especially in the rural areas, about the advantages of digital mode of transaction.

Others who spoke on the occasion were Shri. Timothy Dkhar, SIO, NIC Meghalaya and Shri. S Borgohain, Director in-charge NIELIT, Shillong.