When this 33-year-old cloth merchant from Guntur, Sk. Rafi, placed an order for a swiping machine for his new outlet with the Karur Vyasya Bank, Ameerpet branch in Hyderabad on December 1, all that he hoped was a good sale during the festive season.
But Mr. Rafi hit the jackpot when he bagged a cash prize under the Central government’s promotional scheme, Digi Dhan Vyapar Yojna(merchant category), to boost cashless transactions.
Mr. Rafi was among the three persons across the country picked by President Pranab Mukherjee in a lucky draw held on April 9.
He along with KVB Ameerpet branch manager K. Satish Kumar will be presented the cash prize by Prime Minister in Nagpur on April 14.
A native of Addanki in Prakasam district, Mr. Rafi set up a readymade textile shop in 2007 and expanded his business to six major towns in the State.
He launched a new outlet in Hyderabad on December 1 and sought a swiping machine to be made available on the day of the shop’s inauguration.
The branch manager, K. Satish Kumar, ensured that swiping machine was available by 11 a.m.
“I am grateful to the bank for arranging the swiping machine at a time when it was very tough to get one. We did extremely good business in December and our transactions touched ₹25 lakh, and 95% of the customers used the swiping machine. But I had never dreamt that I would be chosen in the mega draw,” said a beaming Rafi.
Two schemes launched
Lucky Grahak Yojna and Digidhan Vyapar Yojna have been launched by the NITI Aayog to give cash awards to consumers and merchants who utilise digital payment instruments. A series of digidhan melas were organised between December 25 and April 14 to sensitise people on cashless transactions.
The award has also boosted the morale of Karur Vyasya Bank personnel.
“We dedicate the award announced in the bank’s centenary year to our chief mentor late Athisri Janardhnan,” said Mr. Satish Kumar.
