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The Government of Karnataka has partnered with Tata Teleservices and MMP Mobi Wallet Systems Ltd (MMPL), the mobile payments arm of Tata Teleservices, to launch an m-governance pilot project.
MMPL would enable the Government in extending the mode of payments by residents beyond credit cards, according to a Tata Teleservices spokesperson.
Any mobile customer can register for the ‘mRupee’ prepaid wallet service where the wallet is loaded with cash at designated mRupee retail outlets and the balance used to pay for m-governance services such as bill payments. The service allows residents to pay for electricity bills, property tax, water bills, traffic challans and other citizen-related services.
In Phase 1, services would be enabled across multiple access channels such as USSD (a technology used by GSM cellular telephones to communicate with the service provider's computers), voice and mobile Web to cover the entire range of phones, from basic to advanced smartphones, according to the Karnataka Government. Tata Teleservices also provides residents USSD connectivity to access the services.
Speaking on the occasion, I.S.N. Prasad, Principal Secretary, Government of Karnataka said: “Karnataka has been a pioneer in the use of ICT in making Government services available to all residents. In continuation of the State vision in providing services to residents anytime, anywhere and on any device, the e-Governance department has taken up this m-Governance initiative. Our association with Tata Teleservices allows us to enable payments over a prepaid mobile wallet, apart from the other traditional payment instruments which is vital to ensuring wide adoption of the service."
The mRupee service will start in Bangalore in Phase 1, followed by a phased launch across the rest of Karnataka. To enrol for mRupee services, residents would have to contact any mRupee Agent in the city to complete a one-time registration process and load the money in their accounts. Customers would then have to generate a One-Time Password (OTP) by dialling 0922225111 or 51111 (for Tata DoCoMo Customers) that would enable them to pay for the mGovernance services.
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