‘Smart cards’ to empower Odisha’s smart city for cashless payments

Bhubaneswar: Come January, 2018, people in Bhubaneswar will be able to pay utility bills and service charges of Bhubaneswar Municipal Corporation (BMC), purchase goods from retail stores, pay for movie tickets, travel by the city-based transport system, dine and shop within the city, all through a ‘smart card’ only.

The Odisha government has decided to roll out Common Payment Card System (CPCS) in the city from January 1 next year.

This system shall facilitate all citizen service payments across the city including bus and para-transit payments, parking payments, municipal service payments, utility payments, etc. through an open-loop based fare card and mobile applications apart from other payment modes approved by Reserve Bank of India.

The cards will function like a wallet having an unique number linked to bank account. Money will be debited from the account on swiping the card for availing services, an official said.

The citizens, visitors and other users will be able to buy the card through payment of a minimum top up of Rs. 200/- per card. A one-time fee of Rs. 50/- per card shall be retained by the Bank as cost towards the card.

Further with an aim to create doorstep delivery of payment services, the implementation also comprises of installation of 325 Point of Sale (POS) machines, at government premises and in partnership with private entities, retailers & other merchants at a grid of 500m in the city.

A proposal in this regard was approved at the empowered committee meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Aditya Prasad Padhi at the State Secretariat yesterday.

ICICI bank has been selected as the implementing agency of the CPC, official sources said, adding that the bank will spend Rs 20 crore towards it and design & make 5 lakh cards.