On Monday, India’s Prime Minister Narendra Modi will launch the e-RUPI, an electronic voucher-based digital payment system. On Saturday, his office stated, “The Prime Minister has always championed digital initiatives. Over the years, several programmes have been launched to ensure that the benefits reach its intended beneficiaries in a targeted and leak-proof manner, with limited touchpoints between the government and the beneficiary.”
The digital system has been designed by the National Payments Corporation of India alongside the department of financial services, the Union ministry of health and family welfare and the National Health Authority. The e-RUPI is a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payment. It is a QR code or SMS string-based e-voucher delivered to the mobile of the beneficiaries.
The PMO stated, “The users of this seamless one-time payment mechanism will be able to redeem the voucher without a card, digital payments app or internet banking access at the service provider.” It will also allow sponsors services to connect with beneficiaries and service providers without physical contact while ensuring that the payment to the service provider is made only after the transaction is completed. The PMO stated that the e-RUPI can also be used for delivering services under schemes meant for providing drugs and nutritional support.
