The Orissa government is gearing up to introduce the e-payment facility for the contractors for payment of tender fee and earnest money deposit (EMD).
The new system is likely to be in operation within a month.
Though the state already has an e-procurement system in place, the payment of tender fee and EMD is being done manually in the absence of an e-payment facility.
The decision to introduce the e-payment facility was taken at a high-level meeting held recently. The meeting was chaired by the Chief Secretary of the Orissa government in the presence of the Accountant General.
“The e-payment facility would ensure hassle free payment of tender fee and EMD. The state finance department would have to amend some existing provisions of payments to the state government to facilitate the implementation of the e-payment system”, Pradipta K Mohapatra, the state IT secretary told Business Standard.
“Our objective is to ensure that all departments of the state government gear up to ensure implementation of the e-payment system. The different departments have to create an electronic database of their records so that they can accept online payments”, he added.
Under the e-payment system, a unique identity number would be issued to the individuals or companies making e-payments. The banks involved in the transactions would prepare electronic scrolls to facilitate online payments.
“State Bank of India is the banker for the Orissa government. We would also talk to two-three additional banks for the e-payment system”, said Mohapatra.
Those making online payments would have to bear a nominal transaction cost which is likely to be fixed at 80 paisa per transaction.
