While the government is making an aggressive pitch for digital transaction and e-banking, rising incidents of cyber crime are a concern among users and online service providers.

The recent hacking of social media accounts of Congress Vice President Rahul Gandhi and some journalists fuelled the debate on whether the country is prepared to go cashless.

In possibly a first in Asia, Andhra Pradesh has introduced blockchain technology to prevent incidents of cyber crime. The government has introduced the technology in some departments to protect the database from being hacked.

Blockchain allows suppliers and consumers to share a decentralised digital ledger across a network of computers without the need for a central authority. Sophisticated algorithms ensure systems are not duplicated or hacked.

ALSO READ: Andhra Pradesh CM Chandrababu Naidu to introduce 'AP Purse' for cashless transactions

CYBER TRAINING FOR POLICE

The Andhra Pradesh government has been encouraging people to adopt cashless modes of transaction to fight cash crunch in the wake of demonetisation of high-value currency.

To train its police force on latest technology to prevent cyber crime, a workshop on blockchain technology was organised by the Fintech Valley of Visakhapatnam and IBM on Wednesday.

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"The state government has been maintaining a large data base of 1.3 crore ration cards, 4.5 crore individual records besides records of all state department," said Secretary, Civil Supplies and Special Officer, Communication and Command Centre, B Rajasekhar.

"Now, the government is encouraging people to increase cashless and digital transactions from 10 per cent to 50 per cent. As the Internet is prone to cyber crime and hacking, the government has decided to use latest blockchain technology to avoid security breach," B Rajasekhar said.

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BUILDING A BASE OF SPECIALISTS

Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu, known for tech-friendly governance, will inaugurate blockchain technology institute in Visakhapatnam on December 17.

Six companies will train candidates in new technology to meet industry requirements given a shortage of specialists in blockchain technology globally.

The Chief Minister is planning to make Andhra Pradesh a cashless state and has recently launched the AP Purse mobile app linked with 13 mobile banking and 10 mobile wallets, which in turn are linked with the Aadhaar, to allow people to pay bills and make purchases from retail traders and vendors.

Digital modes of transaction have been introduced in 21,000 fair price shops in the state under a pilot project.

ALSO READ: This e-wallet startup founder, who had no money for tea, is now making chaiwallahs 'cashless'

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