Gujarat Universities Go Cashless To Tide Over Cash Crunch

Ahmedabad: As debate goes on across the country regarding the cash to cashless transition, colleges in Gujarat are going digital to eliminate the worries about cash payments. Some universities in the state have shifted to online payments for students and many of the colleges under them are slowly making the transition.

Colleges affiliated to various universities are gradually going cashless. Digital kiosks are being set up in campuses where parents can deposit their fees. Smart cards are being given to students so they don't have to queue up at banks to withdraw money.

Ahmedabad-based prestigious architecture and planning university CEPT has introduced smart cards for students. With it, the students can buy food from the university canteen. The money is deposited by the parents online or through cheque.

"Whatever I have to buy from the canteen is now done digitally. Even a vada pav can be brought through these smart cards at my canteen,'' said architecture student Drishti.

The city-based Vishwakarma institute of engineering has gone digital too. Chemical engineering student Shree Kanthi says she uses Paytm at the college store even for buying drawing material worth Rs 5.

"I had to buy a drawing sheet and I did it easily using Paytm. Given the cash crunch, a small amount is also precious,'' he said.

"We have initiated the steps so students don't have to waste their time at the banks since for a small amount. For canteen, stationary stores and photo copies, we are using the digital mode,'' said Director, Students Service Office, CEPT, Prof Ganesh Devkar.