Panel of chief ministers and experts on digital economy to submit interim report to prime minister

The committee of Chief Ministers and experts on digital economy will submit its interim report to Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, said Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, who is heading the committee. He told reporters here on Monday that security aspect will be given top priority in the panel’s recommendations. Naidu said he was preparing the report in consultation with other members. “After submitting interim report and examining all aspects, we will prepare the final report,” he said. The central government in November last year constituted a 13-member committee of Chief Ministers and officials to examine and promote the use of digital payment systems across the country. The committee members include Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, Sikkim Chief Minister Pawan Kumar Chamling, Puducherry Chief Minister V Narayanasamy, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, Niti Aayog Vice-Chairman Arvind Panagariya and Amitabh Kant, CEO, Niti Aayog. Naidu chaired three meetings of the committee last month and also held video conferences with the members. He claimed that Andhra Pradesh had emerged as a leader in digital transactions in the country with 41 per cent digital transactions within a short period. He was confident that next month this will improve to 50 per cent to go on par with London. Naidu, who returned home after a visit to Switzerland, said he discussed digital transactions with various companies in Davos. The Chief Minister said some companies have several patents in digital transactions. Pointing out that India is the only country to follow Adhaar-based transactions, he said the country could register a patent for fingerprint-based payments. Naidu said Visakhapatnam would be developed as fin-tech hub with focus on cyber security. IANS