The government will launch Direct Cash Transfer Scheme in 20 districts from tomorrow. However the scheme will be rolled out in 11 more districts from 1st of February and in another 12 districts from 1st of March next year. In a joint press conference with Information and Broadcasting Minister Manish Tewari in New Delhi, the Finance Minister, P. Chidambaram said that initially 26 welfare schemes run by the center will be covered under the Direct Cash Transfer Scheme.

Mr. Chidambarm said that the scheme will be roll out in phased manner and more and more scheme will be brought under the cash transfer scheme.

In reply to a question, he clarified that food, fertiliser, diesel and kerosene subsidy will not to be transferred in cash to beneficiaries under this scheme. On this occasion, Mr. Tewari said the scheme will benefit around two lakh people in the country.

AIR correspondent reports that the scheme starting in 43 districts spread over 16 states aims at providing benefits of several government welfare schemes directly to the beneficiaries’ Adhaar-enabled bank accounts to plug leakages and reduce delays in their transfer.