The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) initiated the sixth edition of the Digital Payment Awareness Week (DPAW) in Ahmedabad, focusing on enhancing public awareness of safe digital transactions. The campaign, part of the national initiative ‘Har Payment Digital’, is being conducted from March 9 to March 15 across India. The event in Ahmedabad saw the participation of around 400 individuals, including members of Self Help Groups (SHGs) and bank employees.
The programme commenced with an event at the Gujarat State Co-operative Bank in Naranpura, inaugurated by Amresh Ranjan, RBI’s Regional Director for Gujarat. Notable attendees included Kalpana More, RBI Ombudsman for Gujarat, Pramod Kumar Sharma from Bank of Baroda, and Pradeep M. Vora, CEO of the Gujarat State Co-operative Bank. RBI’s Regional Director emphasized the campaign’s theme, “Thoda Dhyaan Se” (a little caution), stressing the significance of safe practices in digital payments.
Participants were advised against sharing OTPs, PINs, or passwords, and cautioned about the risks of scanning QR codes or sharing PINs for receiving payments. The Regional Director urged vigilance in verifying transaction details before finalizing payments, warning against deceptive offers. India currently processes a significant portion of global digital transactions, but gaps in public awareness contribute to the rise in fraud complaints.
Secure digital payment systems were highlighted as essential for market access expansion, empowering women entrepreneurs, and promoting financial inclusion. The event showcased experiences of entrepreneurs trained at RSETI Ahmedabad who utilized digital payment tools for self-reliant livelihoods. Sessions on electronic banking, cybersecurity practices, and a quiz on safe banking practices were conducted during the event.
RBI officials announced plans for similar awareness activities in various districts throughout the week, in partnership with the State Level Bankers’ Committee (SLBC) and other stakeholders to foster a secure and inclusive digital payments environment.
