Blitz Bureau
NEW DELHI: As the unified payments interface (UPI) technology continues to empower millions of users, more than 1.73 lakh panchayats in the country are now UPI-enabled, able to collect payments digitally.
According to Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj, Professor SP Singh Baghel, rural citizens can now make tax and non-tax payments digitally, thereby strengthening the financial capabilities and local governance of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
“They can pay property tax, water tax, streetlight tax, trade license fee, building permission fee and layout approval fee with the UPI-based platforms,” he added,
Baghel said that the UPI platform can also provide a convenient and accessible way for citizens to link their Prime Minister Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) accounts with their UPI IDs, enabling seamless transactions and financial inclusion.
“Panchayats can easily access their accounts, make transactions, and leverage the benefits offered by the PMJDY programme, such as RuPay Insurance coverage,” Baghel informed Parliament.
“This streamlined approach encourages the rural citizenry to take advantage of the financial services and insurance benefits provided by the government, ultimately fostering financial empowerment and security among the rural population,” said Baghel.
