Vodafone M-Pesa bags award for empowering Rajasthan women with mobile wallet

RAJASTHAN: Vodafone India, one of India’s leading telecom service providers, was recognized by the Government of Rajasthan for empowering rural women in Village Organisation (VO)/Self Help Groups (SHGs) through Vodafone M-Pesa, in a partnership with Rajasthan Grameen Ajeevika Vikas Parishad (RGAVP). Shri Surendra Goyal, Rural Development Minister, Government of Rajasthan presented this award to Vodafone for successful completion and performance of the pilot in 3 blocks. Additionally, Vodafone India was also awarded another 7 blocks by RGAVP to implement its M-Pesa service for over 6000 SHGs for instant deposits to their saving account using the mobile wallet.

Amit Bedi, Business Head – Rajasthan Circle, Vodafone India said, “We are grateful to the Government of Rajasthan for this recognition and feel encouraged that our efforts towards supporting financial inclusion and creating empowerment are appreciated. We are also delighted to extend our M-Pesa offering with RGAVP in another 7 blocks. The partnership started 6 months ago as a pilot in 3 blocks of Rajasthan viz Anandpuri in Banswara district, Baap in Jodhpur district and Sankar in Jaisalmer district.

Vodafone M-Pesa has ensured that women who had to earlier walk for 15-20 kms for money transactions can now just reach their SHG meeting points within the village for sending and receiving money. Under the successful pilot run, women in these 3 blocks have made over Rs 1.55 crore transactions at SHG meeting points by instant deposits to their account using the mobile wallet – Vodafone M-Pesa. We look forward to making meaningful contributions as we extend our services to the 7 blocks.”

With the success of the pilot run, RGAVP has awarded another 7 blocks of Rajasthan namely – Chipabarod of Baran, Asind of Bhilwara, Kekri of Ajmer, Jhadol of Udaipur, Bakani of Jhalawar, Simalwara of Dungarpur and Balesar of Jodhpur. All these blocks constitute around 6000 SHGs and all of them walk nearly 15-20 kms for depositing money in bank.

RGAVP gives small loans to women in poor families in the form of cash. Loans are given to the Village Organisation (VO)/Self Help Group (SHG) leaders and cashiers who drive the business. These loan amounts are disbursed in the form of cash and repayment amount is collected periodically. With Vodafone M-Pesa wallet, the loan amount will be deposited instantly by the leaders to the individual savings account. Instant confirmation in the form of SMS is sent to the individual handsets. Instead on travelling 15-20 kms in most case for cash transaction, Vodafone M-Pesa facilitates instant, safe and secure cash transaction for the poor in Rajasthan.