The government is looking at providing banking services in every village of the country by leveraging technology and the network of Common Services Centres (CSCs). The withdrawal facility has already been introduced at CSCs whereas opening of accounts is being worked out with the banks and is likely to be rolled out shortly.

Communications and IT Minister Ravi Shankar Prasad said that the Govt is targeting to create banking access point in every village through new technology. The minister added the commission earned by village level entrepreneurs or VLEs on pancards, passport and rail ticketing stands at 438 crore.

The Minister said “VLEs have a major role in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s dream of startup revolution in India. CSCs play important role in interface between the government and the beneficiaries, thus reducing corruption and delays”.

He also announced that the VLE, which helps make entire gram panchayat digitally literate, will be sent to Singapore this year and then Silicon Valley to show how India is changing.

Who is VLE?

• The VLE is the key to the success of the CSC operations. While content and services are important, it is the VLE’s entrepreneurial ability that would ensure CSC sustainability.
• A good VLE would not be one who has financial muscle only, but somebody who has entrepreneurial traits, strong social commitment as well as respect within the community.
• The quality of service at the CSCs would be as effective as the quality of VLEs running them.
• Selection and proper training of the VLE therefore would play a vital role in making the CSC a success.

Source – Common Services Center Scheme