- The Uttar Pradesh government has issued more than 14.5 lakh e-rupi vouchers across the state over the past year and a half.
- The e-vouchers were issued to help pregnant women access essential diagnostic services, especially ultrasounds at private centres.
- According to latest data, Azamgarh leads with 61,000 e-rupee vouchers, followed by Agra (56,000) and Badaun (53,000) while the lowest numbers were in Kasganj (4,352), Bhadohi (4,876) and Shamli (5,749).
E-Rupi
- e-RUPI is a digital voucher sent to a beneficiary’s phone as an SMS or QR code. It is a prepaid voucher that can be redeemed at any center that accepts it.
- It is a one-time, contactless and cashless voucher that allows users to redeem it without needing a card, payment app or internet banking.
- The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) has launched e-RUPI, a voucher-based payment system to encourage cashless transactions.
- Features:
- e-RUPI’s prepaid feature ensures timely payments to service providers without intermediaries.
- It aims to revolutionize welfare service delivery without leaks and can be used for schemes providing drugs and nutritional support.
- Principle
- The cap on the amount for e-RUPI vouchers is INR 1,00,000/- per voucher for Government schemes only. For Private entities, the limit of e-RUPI voucher is at INR 10,000/- per voucher.
- The e-RUPI voucher is allowed to be redeemed for People to Merchant (P2M) purchases only.
- The voucher issuance format will be digital only e.g. QR code, SMS string etc.
- Uses:
e-RUPI voucher can be used for sponsorship/ distribution of goods and services to end beneficiary.
- To students for a Scholarship Program
- To the beneficiary for the payment of utility bills
- To the beneficiary for medical facilities
- To the beneficiary to avail products such as cycles, fertilizers etc.
To the beneficiary for sponsorship of subsidies and services to the beneficiary for tax benefits.