Here are some of the major announcements from Budget 2012, related to the internet, digitization, financial inclusion, telecom, mobile, media and entertainment and related sectors: - Mobile based fertilizer management system: The recommendations of the task force headed by Nandan Nilekani on IT strategy for direct transfer of subsidy have been accepted. Based on these, a mobile- based Fertiliser Management System (mFMS) has been designed to provide end-to-end information on the movement of fertilisers and subsidies, from the manufacturer to the retail level. This will be rolled out nation-wide during 2012. Direct transfer of subsidy to the retailer, and eventually to the farmer will be implemented in subsequent phases, and is expected to curtail misuse of fertilizers. - Oil Companies have launched LPG transparency portals; direct subsidy transfer: All the three public sector Oil Marketing Companies have launched LPG transparency portals to improve customer service and reduce leakage. A pilot project for selling LPG at market price and reimbursement of subsidy directly into the beneficiary's bank account is being conducted in Mysore. A similar pilot project on direct transfer of subsidy for kerosene into the bank accounts of beneficiaries has been initiated in Alwar district of Rajasthan. - Further integration of Aadhar with PDS & govt. schemes: The enrolments into the Aadhaar system have crossed 20 crore and the Aadhaar numbers generated upto date have crossed 14 crore. The government has proposed to allocate adequate funds to complete another 40 crore enrolments starting from April 1, 2012. The Aadhaar platform is now ready to…
