PayNearby partners with Rajeevika to onboard 10,000 BC-Sakhis in Rajasthan

By Leandra Monteiro

India’s branchless banking and digital network, PayNearby, announced that it will onboard women Business Correspondents (BC-Sakhis) from Self Help Groups in 8 districts to offer banking services to various Gram Panchayats in Rajasthan.

PayNearby, a corporate BC of YES Bank, will partner with Rajasthan Grameen Aajeevika Vikas Parishad (RAJEEVIKA) to empower SHG members and onboard them to function as Business Correspondents (BCs) and Customer Service Provider (CSPs).

PayNearby and Rajeevika’s partnership aims to create livelihood opportunities for 10,000 women BCs in Rajasthan by the end of FY24. The company thus aims to build a sustainable network to improve the availability and accessibility of financial services across the state. It also aims to digitise transactions worth approx. INR 10,000 crores through the SHG ecosystem while enabling BC-Sakhis to earn additional revenue.

PayNearby is one of the selected partners who has been allotted the mandate of 8 districts across Rajasthan, viz. Bikaner, Churu, Hanumangarh, Sri Ganganagar, Barmer, Jaisalmer, Jodhpur and Pali. Post onboarding, the company will work on upskilling the BC Sakhis and teach them how to offer financial and digital services to their communities so as to enable last-mile reach and also provide them with the tools to augment the family’s income.

Speaking on the development, Anand Kumar Bajaj, Founder, MD & CEO, PayNearby, said, “Women in low-income cohorts generally manage their money through informal loans and savings. Hence, it is important that they have access to digital and financial tools that give them better control over their earnings and savings. For India to progress, we must empower our women to lead this change. Rajeevika is an excellent initiative by the Government of Rajasthan and PayNearby is extremely honored to be a facilitator of this program and drive empowerment. It will also further our commitment towards our Sashakt Naari, Sashakt Samaaj, Sashakt Desh mission. Through this, women will learn about cash management, savings, banking, insurance and other financial services that will, in turn, bridge the gender gap at the last mile. As aware banking sakhis, these women will play a crucial role in making India an inclusive nation and help bridge the urban-rural divide.”

While commenting on the partnership, Dr. Hardeep Singh Chopra, Project Director, Rajeevika, said, “It is our goal to bring these women up the financial inclusion curve, who, in turn, could financially empower thousands of families in rural Rajasthan. Our association with PayNearby will add immense value as these BC Sakhis will play a significant part in handholding and acquainting the masses to financial and digital transactions while driving financial inclusion across the remotest villages and towns in the state.”