Speaking on the expectations on the upcoming Budget 2021, Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO of PayNearby said, “We hope that this Budget takes into consideration the tough working condition of the BC network.”
Anand Kumar Bajaj said, “PayNearby’s retail network has worked tirelessly to ensure seamless access to financial services, especially during the peak lockdown months last year. 93% of our business correspondent network has been committed to working in tier 2 and tier 3 towns, serving as the sole point of cash disbursal in locations with limited financial infrastructure. However, the commission rates for BC services are very low to make it a profitable business. Additionally, BCs, by default, come under the 27% GST and 5% TDS on cash withdrawal even after the tax act having enabling provisions. This makes it difficult for them to stay afloat.
“We hope that this Budget takes into consideration the tough working condition of the BC network and make a few regulatory changes to ensure the viability of a community that has been vital to the cause of financial inclusion in the country. To continue sustaining the competitive advantage in Digital proliferation in India, restoring normal MDR on transactions will incentivize the digital ecosystem and facilitate a smoother growth trajectory towards innovation,” he added.