The State Government’s experiment with e-governance and including every citizen within its purview got much needed boost today with the inauguration of online payment, known as e-payment gateway which facilitates online payment of taxes.
The online payment gateway would help payment of transport and commercial taxes from today with several other departments likely to join the bandwagon in coming days. The hassle free payment of taxes would be a 24X7 facility for a person who can make payments while sitting at his home or from nearest Pragya Kendra thus saving time spent on travelling besides cutting back on the agony of standing in long queues for hours.
While dedicating the system to the residents of the State, Chief Minister Hemant Soren said, "This is just a beginning. Many suggestions will come and many changes will be incorporated in the system (at different points of time)" adding "improvement would have been more discernible had we focused on systems like these since the beginning."
Interestingly, the CM reflected on delay in project implementation and emphasized the importance of timely payment of taxes as a remedy to the problem. Soren also underscored the need for using technology at disposal to streamline the performance of government departments and put in place a revenue system that facilitates project implementation. "Several projects get delayed due to non-payment of taxes resulting in losses to economy," maintained Soren.
The system enables a user to enter the concerned department's portal through an interface for paying taxes. After filling challan forms a user is redirected through internet banking to his bank to make payments. Notably, more than 60 banks have been linked with the payment gateway besides making transaction possible through debit and credit cards.
The State has witnessed more than threefold increase in the number of vehicles since it was carved out hence the system is touted to help both the department officials by easing the process of tax collection and a person by removing the human interface. "A good message has been sent to the people through this system," said Transport Minister Champai Soren.
For techno savvy Chief Secretary RS Sharma the system is best way to promote cashless transaction and has the potential of aiding national growth. Terming the initiative as "strategic" Sharma pressed for an effective monitoring, proper mechanism for resolving disputes, and setting up helpdesks besides urging other departments to join hands in providing services at the door step.
"Departments are so much occupied in their activities that they do not think of developing a common platform. I am happy that the platform has been developed and welcome other departments also," added Sharma. Significantly, more services and mode of payments are likely to be brought within the sphere of the platform. "We will link more departments with this platform and will facilitate online payments through mobile applications, SMS gateway," said Principal Secretary Information Technology NN Sinha.