Report by Gurpreet Kaur
New Delhi, Aug 2: PM Narendra Modi launched a new digital payment mode under UPI (Unified Payment Interface – a single platform that merges all banking services) called e-RUPI over a video conference on 2nd August 2021. E-RUPI is a prepaid e-Voucher which can be issued directly to the citizens after verifying their mobile number and identity. Government claimed that it is a safe and contactless instrument, available to all citizens. With e-RUPI the e-voucher will be delivered in the form of SMS or QR codes directly to the mobile user. Users will be able to reclaim the voucher without debit or credit card or internet banking, which means anyone from the unbanked section or not having internet or smartphone access will also be able to enjoy the benefits of e-RUPI.
E-RUPI can be used to render health, education, agriculture, and many more services. Private sectors can also use e-RUPI for employee welfare etc. It connects the financer of the service and service provider to the payee digitally. This will also ensure timely payment to the service provider. The use of e-RUPI started with payment at the vaccination center. These vouchers will be person and purpose-specific, prepaid, and issued by the partner banks. Generated code can be used only once by the service provider after providing the service. National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) developed e-RUPI in association with the Department of Financial Services (DFS), National Health Authority
(NHA), Ministry of Health, and Family Welfare (MoHFW), and partner banks.