Cash transfer scheme: the hiccups

With the first week of January as the deadline for rolling out the UPA government's ambitious schemes of cash transfers, officials are working overtime to ensure the soft launch of this scheme. But with Aadhar cards not ready on time, the government has now changed its tactics; the roll out will begin but not for 85% of the population in target districts as promised earlier but only for limited beneficiaries. Despite not having its ground work in order, the UPA government is clearly in a hurry to push through a scheme it hopes will deliver benefits directly to the poor and in turn ensure votes.