Nirmala Sitharaman in the US: According to Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, India has saved $40 billion from theft in the last eight years through the government's Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) schemes. During her US visit this week at the Wharton Business School of the University of Pennsylvania, Sitharaman said that more than 51 ministries and departments of the central government are now using different DBT schemes. She said that a total of more than $450 billion has been transferred through this government scheme in the last eight years.

'I don't want to let theft take over'

She told the people present there, "As a finance minister, I have to stop theft. I have to ensure that every taxpayer's rupee is spent properly, it is accounted for properly. I do not want theft to prevail." Through Aadhaar-linked DBT, cash benefits from various welfare schemes are transferred directly to the bank accounts of beneficiaries. With this facility, the need for documents is eliminated and there is no problem of fake beneficiaries.

₹ 3.04 lakh crore disbursed to 11 crore farmers across the country
With the world's largest DBT scheme, the PM-KISAN scheme, more than ₹ 3.04 lakh crore has already been disbursed to more than 11 crore farmers across the country. With the 18th installment of PM KISAN, the total amount transferred to the beneficiaries has crossed the ₹ 3.24 lakh crore mark. This initiative is one of the world's largest DBT schemes, leveraging digital platforms for transparent enrolment and transfer of welfare funds to farmers.

The PM-KISAN scheme has eliminated dependence on moneylenders and promoted sustainable agricultural practices. By eliminating middlemen, the scheme ensures that all farmers receive equal support. In addition, the Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) further promotes financial inclusion, opening over 523 million bank accounts and bringing marginalized sections into the formal financial system.

According to the government, this Aadhaar-driven approach has not only empowered people but also led to huge savings in the country's exchequer by eliminating crores of fake, non-existent, and ineligible beneficiaries in government schemes. For example, Aadhaar-driven DBT has eliminated over 4.15 crore fake LPG connections and 5.03 crore duplicate ration cards, thereby streamlining the distribution of essential services like cooking gas and food subsidies.