Maharashtra all set to go cashless

IN RURAL AREAS, IT PLANS TO START THE BHIMAADHAAR PAY APP AND IN CITIES, THE EXISTING CARD AND MODES OF CASHLESS SYSTEM WILL CONTINUE

The state plans to shift to a cashless transaction system soon.

The government will stop accepting cash for fees, taxes and fines. It will accept payments only through digital transactions. In rural areas, it plans to start the BHIM-Aadhaar Pay app and in cities, the existing credit card and other modes of cashless system will continue. But sources said there are challenges to implementing the scheme. Citizens need a bank account linked to Aadhaar.

Most banks are still linking their customers’ Aadhaar to account details.

The state wants to follow the Centre’s footsteps and hence, has started all efforts to make its transactions cashless. The BHIM-Aadhaar Pay app — a biometric-based payment system, allows users to make payments digitally by authenticating the biometric details of a user with Aadhaar database.

The transactions include — property tax, stamp duty, fees for land transfer, license fees, fines, electricity bills etc. The idea is expected to be launched in the next two-three months.

Unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in May this year, the BHIM-Aadhaar Pay app provides a tool that can be a one-stop solution for all digital payments.

VK Gautam, principal secretary, information technology department, said the BHIM-Aadhaar Pay app links citizens’ Aadhaar number and fingerprint to complete a transaction in a safe and secure manner.

To enable the transactions through the app, the government only needs a thumb impression, for which 1.40 lakh biometric machines have been procured. These will be installed in all the gram panchayats, tehsildar and collectorates to ensure cashless transactions.

To complete the transactions, the person concerned will have to submit his Aadhaar details and the amount he or she wants to pay in the BHIM-Aadhaar Pay app and give his thumb impression to authenticate his biometric details. The amount will be deducted from his account, he added.