Going cashless is a big question for digitally illiterate people living in rural areas. Though it might sound simple for people who are used to digital payments but in the long run, the security of such payments is also a matter of debate. For digital payments, a population as huge as India’s needs to have an availability of smartphones which is costly for those living in rural areas. A lot of factors are to be considered if the Prime Minister wants India to be a cashless society. Firstly, each individual should have a smartphone handy which is not only costly but the availability of smartphone stores in different parts of rural areas is mandatory. Secondly, smartphones are tricky to use for those who are not used to using them thus, proper guidance is needed before one decides to use them. Internet connections are supposed to be sturdy enough for a lot of people will be using it constantly to make digital transactions, which is a matter of concern. We see that internet connections are not strong enough in villages thus in order to make a digitally cashless India, first the Internet connection needs to be mended positively. Learning how to use smartphones properly is a big concern than it seems for people who don’t even have basic education won’t be able to use the phones. Moreover, a mentality is required for using the phones which need to be developed. Furthermore, lack of proper electricity in rural areas can also be a problem which is another important field to be taken care of. Without proper electric facilities, smartphones won’t work which will make digital payments almost nil.
Cashless transactions can be tough for not only those living in the villages but also for the ones in the urban areas and cities. A power cut is an issue that might take a big toll on transactions as it can stop transactions in the midway, also we will have to keep our phones charged at all times. To make India a cashless society, digital development is mandatory to be taken care of.
Also completely wiping off cash can be confusing to a lot of people as most people are dependent on cash and on a scene of power cuts or low internet connectivity, payments in cash will be suitable. Card payments and payments through mobile wallets are easy and fast but in order to become a cashless society both digitally literate and economically literate people will have to help those who are lacking knowledge in either of these fields. This is a tedious and long process thus we as a nation still have a long way to go in order to become a cashless society. Thus, in the long run, digital payments can come handy but both liquid money and digital transactions are majorly required parallelly, though for the time being people in India are not yet ready to get used to the new idea of all digital transactions. Furthermore, the security of digital payments is also a mandatory field to be taken into account.
