Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts V.1_0

Document No: EPR: 01 Version: 1.0 November, 2016 Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Government of India Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY) New Delhi –110003Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Metadata of Document Framework for Electronic Payments and Receipts S. No. Data elements Values 1. Title Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 2. Title Alternative EPR 3. Document Identifier EPR:01 4. Document Version, month, year of Version 1, Nov 2016 release 5. Present Status Approved by Secretary Ministry of Communication & IT 6. Publisher Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India (GoI) 7. Date of Publishing Nov 2016 8. Type of Standard Document Guidelines ( Policy / Technical Specification/ Best Practice /Guidelines/ Framework/ Process) 9. Enforcement Category Recommended ( Mandatory/ Recommended) 10. Creator Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (An entity primarily responsible for making (MeitY), Government of India (GoI) the resource) 11. Contributor Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (An entity responsible for making (MeitY) and Controller General of Accounts (CGA) contributions to the resource) 12. Brief Description The Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR)of Government of India aims to harness the potential of electronic cashless payments platforms for various Payments or Receipts handled by Departments / Institutions. 13. Target Audience State Governments, Govt. of India Autonomous Bodies, (Who would be referring / using the Central Public Sector Undertakings and Municipalities document) 14. Owner of approved standard MeitY, New Delhi Version: 01 Page 2 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S. No. Data elements Values 15. Subject Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and ( Major Area of Standardization ) Receipts (EPR) 16. Subject. Category Policy guidelines and implementation framework for (Sub Area within major area ) Electronic Payments and Receipts 17. Coverage. Spatial INDIA 18. Format PDF 19. Language English (To be translated in other Indian languages later) 20. Rights. Copyrights MeitY, New Delhi 21. Source NIL (Reference to the other resources from which present resource is derived) 22. Relation N/A Version: 01 Page 3 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Table of Contents 1. PREAMBLE .................................................................................................................................................... 6 2. BACKGROUND ............................................................................................................................................. 6 3. OBJECTIVES ................................................................................................................................................. 7 4. POLICY STATEMENT ................................................................................................................................. 7 5. OVERVIEW OF PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS IN GOVERNMENT MINISTRIES/ DEPARTMENTS..................................................................................................................................................... 8 5.1 CITIZENS TO GOVERNMENT (C2G) AND BUSINESS TO GOVERNMENT (B2G) PAYMENTS ......................... 8 5.2 GOVERNMENT TO CITIZENS (G2C) PAYMENTS ......................................................................................... 9 5.3 GOVERNMENT TO BUSINESSES (G2B) PAYMENTS .................................................................................... 9 5.4 GOVERNMENT TO EMPLOYEE (G2E) PAYMENTS ..................................................................................... 10 5.5 GOVERNMENT TO GOVERNMENT (G2G) PAYMENTS ................................................................................ 10 6. CATEGORIZATION OF SERVICES OFFERED BY DEPARTMENTS ON BASIS OF IT READINESS WITH RESPECT TO PAYMENTS INTEGRATION ................................................................. 11 6.1 LEVEL 1: PAPER BASED RECORDS, MANUAL BILLING SYSTEM AND NO OPTIONS FOR ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS ............................................................................................................................................................. 11 6.2 LEVEL 2: ELECTRONIC RECORDS AND IT ENABLED PROCESSES WITH NO PAYMENTS INTEGRATION ..... 11 6.3 LEVEL 3: ELECTRONIC RECORDS MANAGEMENT, IT ENABLED AND ELECTRONIC PAYMENTS ................ 11 7. GUIDELINES ON SERVICES WITH PAYMENTS FROM CITIZENS/ BUSINESSES TO DEPARTMENT (C2G AND B2G) ........................................................................................................................ 12 7.1 LEVEL 1 SERVICES ................................................................................................................................. 12 7.2 LEVEL 2 SERVICES ................................................................................................................................. 15 7.3 LEVEL 3 SERVICES ................................................................................................................................. 19 8. GUIDELINES FOR PAYMENTS FROM GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT TO CITIZENS/ BUSINESSES (G2C AND G2B) ........................................................................................................................... 24 9. GUIDELINES FOR PAYMENT/RECEIPTS FROM DEPARTMENT TO OTHER DEPARTMENTS (G2G) ...................................................................................................................................................................... 25 10. GUIDELINES FOR PAYMENT FROM DEPARTMENT TO EMPLOYEES (G2E) ........................... 26 10.1 . GUIDELINES FOR GENERATING AWARENESS .......................................................................................... 26 11. IMPLEMENTATION METHODOLOGY ................................................................................................ 27 12. PROGRESS REVIEW AND REPORTING ............................................................................................... 29 Version: 01 Page 4 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 13. REVIEW OF THE EPR FRAMEWORK .................................................................................................. 29 14. POINT OF CONTACT ................................................................................................................................ 29 15. ANNEXURES................................................................................................................................................ 30 ANNEXURE 1: ADOPTION OF PAYMENT AND RECEIPT SYSTEMS .......................................................................... 30 ANNEXURE 2: PAYMENTS AND RECEIPTS THROUGH BANK AND NON-BANK PAYMENT SERVICE PROVIDERS ...... 32 ANNEXURE 3: SUGGESTED GUIDELINES FOR ENCOURAGING DEPARTMENTS TO INCREASE USAGE OF ABOVE MENTIONED CASHLESS OPTION THROUGH CSCS/BANK/THIRD PARTY AND PAYONLINE ..................................... 38 ANNEXURE 4 : GLOSSARY .................................................................................................................................... 39 Version: 01 Page 5 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 1. Preamble Digital India program envisages to transform India into digital empowered society and knowledge economy. The Digital India vision provides the intensified impetus for further momentum and progress for e-Governance and would promote inclusive growth that covers electronic services, products, devices, manufacturing and job opportunities. Governance and Services on demand is an important component in Digital India program and includes programs to offer seamlessly integrated, real time online services to citizens with platforms enabled for electronic & cashless financial transactions. Departments are being encouraged and supported to fully leverage the Common and Support ICT Infrastructure established by Government of India. Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has been tasked with evolving/ laying down standards and policy guidelines, provide technical and handholding support, undertake capacity building, R&D, etc. and further evolve the Digital India vision. The aim is that all departments are in a position to collect and make payments in an electronic mode. MeitY envisions that multiple payment channels should be available to enable electronic transactions, provide ease of access, and competitive transaction charges for users. 2. Background Ministry of Electronic and Information Technology (MeitY), Government of India envisages web- enabled/mobile enabled anytime, anywhere access to information and services across the country, especially in rural and remote parts of India. MeitY further envisages common e-Governance infrastructure that will offer end-to-end transactional experience for a citizen, businesses as well as internal government functions, which includes accessing various services through internet with payment gateway interface for online payments. Since 2008-09, Central Government Departments are already using Public Finance Management Systems (PFMS) for plan/ non-plan schemes. With 139 Centrally Sponsored Schemes (CSS) and more than 800 Central Sector Schemes (CS), along with State Plans and Additional Central Assistance (ACA), the PFMS is managing funds in excess of Rs.3,00,000 crore annually.1 In 2013, for the payments of Government schemes directly to beneficiary, DBT module was also included in PFMS. In 1 Source: PFMS Portal : https://pfms.nic.in/Users/LoginDetails/Login.aspx?ReturnUrl=%2f Version: 01 Page 6 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 2015, for the payments and accounting, a dedicated module was launched and is being rolled out to pay and accounts offices of Central Ministries. The Apex Committee on Digital India Programme has recommended a targeted approach to implement digital payments for citizens across all the e-Services of Government Ministries and Departments as per following timelines. • Departments to provide for electronic payment system for all payments and receipts by 31st March, 2016 • At least 90 percent of all the payments and receipts online by 31st December 2016. Against this backdrop, MeitY has prepared this framework, intended for State Governments, Govt. of India Autonomous Bodies, Central Public Sector Undertakings and Municipalities for expeditiously implementing appropriate mechanism to enable electronic payments and receipts. 3. Objectives The objective of this framework is to provide guidelines for Departments to: i.Assess various services involving payments and receipts by types of services and level of electronic payment enablement ii.Provide actionable instructions for universal adoption of electronic payment modes for each type of service through various payment channels iii.Provide guidelines on engagement with various payment service providers 4. Policy Statement Jan Dhan Yojana, the Aadhaar initiative of UIDAI and Mobile number (JAM), this Trinity of reforms is one of the biggest pieces of reform ever attempted in India for direct subsidy transfer to poor citizens of India. With financial inclusion as one of the key priorities of Government, using JAM, it is necessary for Government Departments to adopt modes of electronic payments & receipts for its internal and external transactions. There exist a large number of options for enabling various payment channels and electronic modes for payments/receipts. This framework is formulated with the aim of enabling 100 percent electronic payment for all the external or internal transactions of the Departments. The framework provides the guidelines for facilitating the Departments to expeditiously enable electronic payments and receipts leveraging all the payment channels. Version: 01 Page 7 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 5. Overview of Payments and Receipts in Government Ministries/ Departments The overall payments and receipts made by Departments can be categorized into seven parts: Figure 1: Types of Payments and Receipts 5.1 Citizens to Government (C2G) and Business2 to Government (B2G) Payments • Departments deliver various kinds of services to citizens and businesses and collect payments against delivered services through any one or more of the following modes: • Cash • Paper based payments • Cheque to the department • Demand draft in favour of Departments • Challan to the department • Electronic payments • Online mode through • National Electronic Funds Transfer (NEFT) 2 The term Business in this document means Corporate, Vendor, Supplier, Contractor, Autonomous Bodies, PSUs, NGOs and any other non-government body Version: 01 Page 8 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) • Real Time Gross Settlements (RTGS) ( especially for B2G services) • Net Banking • PoS Terminal Based through Debit and Credit Cards • Mobile App Based ( NEFT/RTGS/Net banking) • IMPS/PPIs • Online payments of taxes and duties through Online portals of Center and States • Center • Online end to end portal for Central Board of Direct Taxes • Online end to end portal for Central Board of Excise and Customs • Other portals • State • Tax receipt portals at most of the states 5.2 Government to Citizens (G2C) Payments As part of Government plan and non-plan schemes, Departments make payments to beneficiary of these schemes under various heads. Central government Departments primarily use PFMS for making such payments. Also, government hires external personnel to deliver services/support to the Departments and makes payment against such services to personnel. Government uses following modes for the payments to beneficiaries: • Cash • Paper Based ( Cheque ) • Direct Benefit Transfer to Citizen through NEFT/RTGS • Aadhaar Enabled Payments (AEPS) Central Government Departments use PFMS, eLekha and COMPACT for processing such payments and state Departments use government/own portals for making such payments. 5.3 Government to Businesses (G2B) Payments Under defined expenditure heads, Government Departments either procure goods/products or sub- contract projects/services to external agencies/persons and make payments for such procurements and projects using any of the following modes: • Electronic based ( NEFT/RTGS) to businesses • Paper based ( Cheque) • Cash In PFMS, the implementing agencies register as Program division and issue sanction orders, drawing and disbursement officer generates the bills and Pay and Accounts Officer (PAO), approves the bills Version: 01 Page 9 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) and makes the payments. State government Departments use individual systems for making such payments. 5.4 Government to Employee (G2E) Payments Central Departments make salary, GPF and pension payments to employees through electronic means primarily; Central Government officers use systems named as e-Lekha and COMPACT developed by Controller General of Account (CGA). State Departments are presently using self-developed or procured systems for making payments. Some payments like housing, loans, utility bills, petty contingent charges or remuneration of casual nature are paid using cheque or cash. 5.5 Government to Government (G2G) Payments Central Government Departments use Public Finance and Management (PFMS) for making payments against plan and non-planned schemes. PFMS is mainly used for Central Sector and Central sponsored schemes and their interfaces with state treasury. For making G2G payments, State Government Departments use developed or procured systems for making payments. Version: 01 Page 10 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 6. Categorization of Services offered by Departments on basis of IT readiness with respect to Payments Integration Departments collect and receive payments against services delivered/received to other Departments, citizens and businesses. The services delivered by Departments are categorized under the three progressive levels of IT as indicated below: 6.1 LEVEL 1: Paper Based Records, Manual Billing System and No options for electronic payments This level includes services in which: • Beneficiaries (citizens/business) in case of G2C payment and Payer in case of C2G payments records are completely paper based • In case of C2G payments, bill generation process for services is manual • Payments and receipts are received ONLY through cash / cheque with no option of electronic payments 6.2 LEVEL 2: Electronic Records and IT Enabled processes with No Payments Integration This category includes services with: • Completely digitized records of G2C/B payment’s beneficiaries (citizens/business) and payers in case of C/B2G payments • The sanctioning and billing processes for services are automated, respective approvals are implemented electronically and sanction orders/bills are generated electronically • Payments and receipts are paid /received ONLY through cash/cheque with no option of electronic payments 6.3 LEVEL 3: Electronic Records Management, IT enabled and Electronic payments This category includes services with: • Completely digitized records of G2C/B payment’s beneficiaries (citizens/business) and payers in case of C/B2G payments • The sanctioning and billing processes for services are automated, respective approvals are implemented electronically and sanction orders/bills are generated electronically • For payments and receipts, there are ONE or more of the following options for electronic payments/receipts and through: • For Over-the-counter payments/receipts: Card based/ IMPS/ Wallet based • For web based payments/receipts: Card based/ Net banking/ IMPS/ RTGS/ NEFT/ mWallets • For mobile based payments: Card based/ Net banking/ IMPS/ RTGS/ NEFT/ mWallets Version: 01 Page 11 of 397.Guidelines on Services with Payments from Citizens/ Businesses to Department (C2G and B2G) These guidelines are applicable for Govt. of India Autonomous Bodies, Central Public Sector Undertakings, state government departments, district local bodies delivering services/ products to citizen/businesses which results into departments making or receiving payments/fees/fines. 7.1LEVEL 1 Services These guidelines for adoption of payments/receipts systems, channels and modes are mentioned in table 1 (below) are for Departments offering Level 1 services (as per categorization mentioned in section 6) for both Rate based Services3 and Pre-generated bill based services4. Table 1 : Guidelines for Adoption of Payment Systems, Channels and Modes for Level 1 Services S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services 1 Govt. of India Bill Based Department’s own • Adoption of Payment Systems: Autonomous Services Counter Departments are advised to adopt any one or more of the following systems for Bodies and CSC Counters receiving payments electronically: Central Rate based Department’s own • Use Central Government Portal or portal developed by their IT Department to Public Sector Services counters provide a payment facility integrated with a payment gateway service provider such Undertakings CSC’s counters as PayGov or others. Refer annexure 2.1.4 Third party’s Adopt PayOnline for receiving payments; refer annexure 1.1 for detailed counters guidelines. • Adoption of Payment Channels: • In addition to department’s own counters and third party counters, Departments 3 Rate Based Services are services against which charges are pre-decided for delivery of services, for example sale and submission of government forms, application of water bill connection etc. 4 Pre-Generated bill based services are services for which bill is generated on the basis of consumption of any services offered by government departments such as water bill payments.Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services may also adopt CSCs as service delivery channel and receive payments against services offered through CSCs as channel, refer annexure 1.2 for details • Adoption of Payment modes • For each of the counter based services through own counter/ Third party counters / CSC counters, department are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes at the counter: Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI • Payments to businesses for delivering government services to citizens ( Indirect receipts to citizens): • Any receipts from citizens which are received by businesses for delivering government outsourced services to citizens, should also be through electronic modes. Businesses are advised to make following modes available to citizens/businesses for receiving payment • For each of the counter based services through business/service provider’s counters, businesses are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI 2 State Bill Based Department’s own • Adoption of Payment Systems: Government Services Counter • Departments are advised to adopt any one or more of the following systems for Department, Common Service receiving payments electronically: ministry, Center (CSC) Version: 01 Page 13 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services municipalities Counters • Adopt PayOnline5 for receiving payments electronically, refer annexure 1.1 or Any other Rate based Department’s own • Adopt systems offered by banks or third party payment service providers; refer department Services counters annexure 2 for list of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Bank or Non- receiving CSC’s counters Bank organizations Government Third party’s • Use State Portal or any Portal developed by their IT Department to provide payments counters a payment facility integrated with a payment gateway service provider. Refer annexure 2.1.4 • Adoption of Payment Channels: • Departments are advised to also adopt multiple channels for receiving payments electronically • For adoption of CSCs counter/portal as service delivery channel, refer annexure 1.2. • For adoption of third party counter/portal as service delivery channel, refer annexure 2 for list of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Bank or Non-Bank organizations • Adoption of Payment Modes: • At the department/ CSC / Third party counters, applicable Departments are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI • Payments to businesses for delivering government services to citizens ( Indirect 5 PayOnline is Under development by Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Communication and IT Version: 01 Page 14 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services receipts to citizens): • Any receipts from citizens which are received by businesses for delivering government outsourced services to citizens, should also be through electronic modes. Businesses are advised to make following modes available to citizens/businesses for receiving payment • For each of the counter based services through business/service provider’s counters, businesses are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI 7.2LEVEL 2 Services These guidelines for adoption of payment receipt systems, channels and modes are mentioned in table 2 (below) are for Departments offering Level 2 services (as per categorization mentioned in section 6) for both Rate based Services6 and Pre-generated bill based services7. Table 2: Guidelines for Adoption of Payment Systems, Channels and Modes for Level 2 Services S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services 1 Govt. of India Bill Based Department’s own • Adoption of Payment Systems: Department are advised to adopt one or more of the Autonomous Services Counter 6 Rate Based Services are services against which charges are pre-decided for delivery of services, for example sale and submission of government forms, application of water bill connection etc. 7 Pre-Generated bill based services are services for which bill is generated on the basis of consumption of any services offered by government departments such as water bill payments. Version: 01 Page 15 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services Bodies and CSC Counters below mentioned payments systems Central Rate based Department’s own • Integrate Department’s Systems with a Payment Gateway Service Provider; refer Public Sector Services counters annexure 2.1.4 Undertakings CSC’s counters • Integrate with systems offered by banks or third party service providers; refer Third party’s annexure 2 for list of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Bank or Non-Bank counters organizations • Adoption of Payment Channels • In addition of department’s own counters, Departments may also adopt CSCs as service delivery channel and receive payments against such services. For adoption of CSC as service delivery channel, refer annexure 1.2 • Adoption of Payment mode • For each of the counter based services through department/CSC counters, departments are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI • At the department/ CSC / Third party Portals, applicable Departments are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI or Net banking or RTGS or NEFT • Payments to businesses for delivering government services to citizens ( Indirect receipts to citizens): • Any receipts from citizens which are received by businesses for delivering government outsourced services to citizens, are advised to also be through Version: 01 Page 16 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services electronic modes. • Businesses are advised to make following modes available to citizens/businesses for receiving payment • At the Business/System provider’s Portals, are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI or Net banking or RTGS or NEFT • For each of the counter based services through business/service provider’s counters, businesses are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI 2 State Bill Based Department’s own • Adoption of Payment Systems: Government Services Counter • Departments are advised to adopt any ONE OR MORE of the following systems Department, Common Service for receiving payments electronically: ministry, Center (CSC) • Should Integrate with receipts Systems developed by State IT departments municipalities Counters for receiving payments electronically or Any other Rate based Department’s own • Should Integrate Department’s Systems with a Payment Gateway Service department Services counters Provider; refer annexure 2.1.4 receiving CSC’s counters • Should Integrate with Payment Gateway Service Providers such as PayGov Government Third party’s or others for receiving payments electronically payments counters • Adoption of Payment Channels: • Departments are advised to also adopt multiple channels for receiving payments electronically Version: 01 Page 17 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services • For adoption of CSCs counter/portal as service delivery channel, refer annexure 1.2. • For adoption of third party counter/portal as service delivery channel, refer annexure 2 for list of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Bank or Non- Bank organizations • Adoption of Payment Modes: • At the department/ CSC / Third party counters, applicable Departments are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI • At the department/ CSC / Third party Portals, applicable Departments are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI or Net banking or RTGS or NEFT • Payments to businesses for delivering government services to citizens ( Indirect receipts to citizens): • Any receipts from citizens which are received by businesses for delivering government outsourced services to citizens, should also be through electronic modes. Businesses are advised to make following modes available to citizens/businesses for receiving payment • For each of the counter based services through business/service provider’s counters, businesses are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI Version: 01 Page 18 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services • At the Business/System provider’s Portals, are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI or Net banking or RTGS or NEFT 7.3LEVEL 3 Services These guidelines for adoption of payment receipt systems, channels and modes are mentioned in table 3 (below) are for Departments offering Level 3 services (as per categorization mentioned in section 6) for both Rate based Services8 and Pre-generated bill based services9. Table 3: Guidelines for Adoption of Payment Systems, Channels and Modes for Level 3 Services S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services 1 Govt. of India Bill Based Department’s own • Adoption of Payment Systems: Autonomous Services Counter • Departments are advised to adopt any one or more of the following systems for Bodies and CSC Counters receiving payments electronically: Central Rate based Department’s own • Adopt PayOnline10 for receiving payments electronically Public Sector Services counters • Adopt systems offered by banks or third party service providers; refer annexure Undertakings CSC’s counters 2 for list of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Bank or Non-Bank Third party’s organizations 8 Rate Based Services are services against which charges are pre-decided for delivery of services, for example sale and submission of government forms, application of water bill connection etc. 9 Pre-Generated bill based services are services for which bill is generated on the basis of consumption of any services offered by government departments such as water bill payments. 10 PayOnline is Under development by Department of Electronics and Information Technology, Ministry of Communication and IT Version: 01 Page 19 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services counters • Departments are advised to integrate with sufficient numbers of Bank and Non-Bank Payment Service Providers in order to gain required reach for citizens using electronic modes • Adoption of Payment Channels • In addition of department’s own counters, Departments may also adopt CSCs as service delivery channel and receiving payments against such services. For adoption of CSC as service delivery channel, refer annexure 1.2 • Adoption of Payment modes • For each of the counter based services through department/CSC counters, departments are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI • Payments to businesses for delivering government services to citizens ( Indirect receipts to citizens): • Any receipts from citizens which are received by businesses for delivering government outsourced services to citizens, are advised to also be through electronic modes. • Businesses are advised to make following modes available to citizens/businesses for receiving payment • For each of the counter based services through business/service provider’s counters, businesses are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI Version: 01 Page 20 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services • At the Business/System provider’s Portals, are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI or Net banking or RTGS or NEFT 2 State Bill Based Department’s own • Adoption of Payment Systems: Government Services Counter • Department’s websites are advised to comply to the website guidelines mentioned Department, Common Service at http://guidelines.gov.in/ i.e. Guidelines for Indian Government Website (GIGW) ministry, Center (CSC) and are advised to get certified with ‘Website Quality Certification’ by STQC municipalities Counters • Departments are advised to integrate with sufficient numbers of Bank and Non- or Any other Rate based Department’s own Bank Payment Service Providers in order to gain required reach for citizens using department Services counters electronic modes receiving CSC’s counters • In addition to existing payment systems, Departments may adopt (if not already Government Third party’s adopted ) any ONE OR MORE of the following systems for receiving payments payments counters electronically: • Should Integrate with systems (for receiving electronic payments) offered by banks or third party service providers refer annexure 2 for list of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Bank or Non-Bank organizations • Should Integrate with Payment Gateway Service Providers such as PayGov or others for receiving payments electronically • Adoption of Payment Channels: • Departments are advised to also adopt multiple channels for receiving payments electronically Version: 01 Page 21 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services • For adoption of CSCs counter/portal as service delivery channel, refer annexure 1.2. • For adoption of third party counter/portal as service delivery channel, refer annexure 2 for list of Reserve Bank of India (RBI) approved Bank or Non-Bank organizations • Adoption of Payment Modes: • At the department/ CSC / Third party counters, applicable Departments are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI • At the department/ CSC / Third party Portals, applicable Departments are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI or Net banking or RTGS or NEFT • Payments to businesses for delivering government services to citizens ( Indirect receipts to citizens): • Any receipts from citizens which are received by businesses for delivering government outsourced services to citizens, are advised to also be through electronic modes. • Businesses are advised to make following modes available to citizens/businesses for receiving payment • For each of the counter based services through business/service provider’s counters, businesses are advised to implement at least one of the following Version: 01 Page 22 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) S/ Type of Types of Channels Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Services options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI • At the Business/System provider’s Portals, are advised to implement at least one of the following options of electronic payment modes : Debit /Credit Card or IMPS or PPI or Net banking or RTGS or NEFT Version: 01 Page 23 of 39EPR Framework 8. Guidelines for Payments from Government Department to Citizens/ Businesses (G2C and G2B) These guidelines are applicable for the all the Government Departments making payments to citizens and businesses in cash/paper based (Cheque /DDs) modes S/ Type of Types of Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments Expenditures 1 Govt. of India a. Payments to • Payments to Citizens/Businesses : Autonomous Citizens/Busin • Departments are advised to adopt electronic systems for Bodies and esses as per bill preparation, sanction payments and payment approvals Central Public planned and integrated with electronic payment processing systems Sector scheme for making payments to citizens and businesses Undertakings • Payments are advised to be made directly into beneficiary b. Payments to accounts except in exceptional cases, as envisaged by Citizen/Busine department/organization specific guidelines sses as per services provided to Government 2 State State Plan and • For State Funds: Government non-plan • State departments are advised to use state payments Department, payments systems developed and prescribed by State ministry, Government for bill preparation, sanction payments and municipalities payment approvals for making payments to citizens and or Any other businesses department receiving • State Departments are advised to adopt electronic modes Government for payments to citizens/businesses: payments • Directly credited into citizen’s/business’s account Version: 01 Page 24 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 9.Guidelines for Payment/Receipts from Department to Other Departments (G2G) These guidelines are applicable for the all the Government Departments making payments to other Departments in either cash or paper based (cheque / DDs) modes. S/ Type of Types of Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departmen Expenditur ts es 1 Govt. of NA • Payments and Receipt to Other Government Departments: India NA • Organizations / departments are advised to process all payments to Autonomou other government departments using electronic modes, with s Bodies and exceptions as stated by respective organizations. Central • For Receipts: Public • Department may adopt PayOnline portal Sector • For receipt of funds ( e.g. Un-utilized funds) from state governments, Undertaking public sector entities or any other organizations/personnel, s Government Departments are advised to provision following modes: • RTGS/NEFT • mWallets • IMPS • Net banking or RTGS or NEFT 2 State State Plan • Department are advised to adopt any one or more options of electronic Government and non- payments and receipts to Center, other State Government, public sector Department/ plan organizations and private entities: ministry payments • Department may adopt PayOnline portal • For payments and receipts to/from other mentioned government Departments, each government department are advised to enable electronic modes of payments/receipts such as : • RTGS/NEFT • mWallets • IMPS • Net banking or RTGS or NEFT • Accounting of G2G payments and receipts may be done through eTreasury system developed by NIC Version: 01 Page 25 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 10.Guidelines for Payment from Department to Employees (G2E) These guidelines are applicable for the all the Government Departments making payments ( salary, GPF, Pension, grant or any other funds) to full time, contractual, daily wage based staff in either cash or paper based (Cheque / DDs) modes: S/ Type of Guidelines for adoption of systems and Payments modes N Departments 1 Govt. of • Payments To Employees India • Organizations/Departments are advised to process all payments to Autonomous employees including salary, LTA or any other compensation Bodies and component using electronic modes only. Central • Receipts from Employees: Public Sector • Department may adopt PayOnline portal or any other Undertakings government/Autonomous body developed portal for receiving any deposits such as fines, unutilized grants/funds etc. 2 State • Payments To Employees Government • Each government department are advised to use enable electronic Department/ modes of payments to employees: ministry • RTGS/NEFT • mWallets • IMPS • Net banking or RTGS or NEFT • Government Departments may also use either eSalary system developed by respective state’s NIC Team or any state specific systems • Receipts from Employees: • Department may adopt PayOnline portal • Government Departments are advised to adopt electronic modes for receiving any deposits such as fines, unutilized grants/funds etc. 10.1. Guidelines for Generating Awareness Department are advised to take steps to build awareness on availability and usage of various electronic Payment channels and modes. Department are advised to also take measures to innovatively incentivize citizens making payments electronically. Guidelines for the same are attached in Annexure 3. Version: 01 Page 26 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 11.Implementation Methodology The implementation approach for the EPR framework can be defined as a two-step process. It primarily addresses assessment of services offered by the Departments to internal and external stakeholders, identification and adoption of delivery channels and usage of options for electronic payments for payments and receipts from/to department: Figure 2: Implementation Approach Step 1: Assessment of the department’s overall status of services offered to internal and external stakeholders on the basis of IT enablement and existing payment channels. The services can be categorized in to various levels on the basis of IT readiness levels and adoption of payment modes, as indicated in table 4: • Level 1 - Service with paper based records, manual process and manual billing system • Level 2 - Digitized records and IT enabled processes and computerization of Billing systems, with no options for electronic payments • Level 3 - Digitized records and IT enabled processes and computerization of Billing systems, with multiple options for electronic payments with integration with Payment providers Version: 01 Page 27 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Table 4: Assessment of Services Offered by Departments Level 1 : Total Paper Level 2 : Level 3: Number of Based Computerization Integrations Type of Services Records, of Billing with Payments/ Payer Payee Offered by Manual systems Payment Receipts the Billing completed providers. Department System Number of services G2C Department Citizen G2B Department Business G2G Department Department G2E Department Employee C2G Citizen Department B2G Business Department E2G Employee Department Step 2: For each of the service, department are advised to list already adopted payment modes as illustrated and depicted in table 5. Table 5 : Payment Details Integration Name of Payment Channel Level Payment Modes Service •In case of level 1 and 2, Payment Mode are advised to be specified as either cash or Department’s cheque or both. Counter/ Level 1/2/3 •In case of level 3, type of payment modes CSCs/Online / Third are advised to be specified which may Party include NEFT, RTGS, IMPS, Card Based, netbanking or others Version: 01 Page 28 of 39EPR Framework 12.Progress Review and Reporting 1. Baseline Reporting: The department shall nominate nodal officer and register with EPR Reporting portal. Department shall ensure that nodal officer updates the baseline status of IT and payment enablement ‘Assessment of IT Enablement and Electronic Payment Readiness of the Services Offered by Departments’. Note: EPR portal shall be created and managed by MeitY. This portal shall have functionality to update both the periodic status of IT and payment enablement and summary of cash and electronic transactions. 2. Periodic Progress Reports: Further on, regular (monthly) department level progress review shall be done and status updated in the portal EPR portal. MeitY shall periodically generate consolidated progress report using EPR portal and extend support as required to the Departments. 3. Information Sharing with Payment Service Providers: Access to EPR Reporting portal shall be given to RBI licensed list of payment service providers and banks enabling them to directly contact respective department. 13.Review of the EPR Framework The Government of India reserves the right to review and revise the EPR framework as necessary. 14.Point of Contact Queries or comments related to the EPR Framework may be sent to the Director (eGovernance), Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY), Electronics Niketan, 6 CGO Complexes, Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110003. They can also be sent through e-mail to kbhatia@gov.in Version: 01 Page 29 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 15.Annexures Annexure 1: Adoption of Payment and Receipt Systems Annexure 1.1. : Guidelines for Adoption of PayOnline MeitY is formulating a generic portal which will enable receipts of government payments. As per guidelines, applicable Departments may adopt PAYONLINE by following guidelines mentioned on following link: www.payonline.gov.in (the Portal is in beta stage and currently undergoing development). Objective of PAYONLINE: • To support all applicable (as per the guidelines) State Governments, Govt. of India Autonomous Bodies, Central Public Sector Undertakings and Municipalities irrespective of functions in their efforts for enabling electronic payments. • To support payments of both fixed fees and bill based payments for C2G and B2G payments. • To enable linkages to multiple payment providers thereby providing ease of payments to citizens and businesses. Procedural Guidelines of PayOnline: • The Departments would have to provide data including fee list, bill details, unique customer identifier (Customer ID, Bill No. etc.) and other relevant details to enable payments through the PAYONLINE. • PAYONLINE would prescribe common data formats for customer and fee list data exchange as well as transaction level data which would apply to all Departments. This will ensure that the details are recorded in a structured and identifiable manner. • PAYONLINE would define payment settlement and reconciliation processes for each department for each type of services/payments being rendered. • PAYONLINE would define a common process for data updates in case of billing data, collection formats /frequency; fee lists etc. are changed at the department level. This would ensure that there is synchronization between the Departments and the stipulations concerning payments at the Department level and ensure that the customer does not face any issues. Version: 01 Page 30 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Annexure 1.2. : Guidelines for enablement of services through CSCs (Guidelines for integration with CSCs already defined) CSC has a prescribed set of procedures for integration governed by the ‘Guidelines for implementation of the CSC scheme in States’ prescribed as on May 2007. The guidelines can be accessed from the following link: http://csc.gov.in/images/states_gudielines.pdf or are as enclosed in file: CSC_states_gudieline s.pdf Version: 01 Page 31 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Annexure 2: Payments and Receipts through Bank and Non-Bank Payment Service Providers Annexure 2.1 RBI Licensed PSPs Annexure 2.1.1. : RBI licensed Commercial Banks11 List of Public Sector & Private Sector Banks Public Sector Banks Private-sector banks State Bank and its associate 1. Axis Bank 1. State Bank of India 2. Bandhan Bank 2. State Bank of Bikaner & Jaipur 3. Catholic Syrian Bank 3. State Bank of Hyderabad 4. City Union Bank 4. State Bank of Patiala 5. Development Credit Bank 5. State Bank of Mysore 6. Dhanlaxmi Bank 6. State Bank of Travancore 7. Federal Bank Nationalized banks 8. HDFC Bank 1. Allahabad Bank 9. ICICI Bank 2. Andhra Bank 10. IDFC Bank 3. Bank of Baroda 11. IndusInd Bank 12. ING Vysya Bank 4. Bank of India (merged with Kotak Mahindra Bank in April 2015) 5. Bank of Maharashtra 13. Jammu and Kashmir Bank 6. Canara Bank 14. Karnataka Bank 7. Central Bank of India 15. Karur Vysya Bank 8. Corporation Bank 16. Kotak Mahindra Bank 9. Dena Bank 17. Lakshmi Vilas Bank 10. Indian Bank 18. Nainital Bank 11. Indian Overseas Bank 19. Sunitkeshrai Bank 12. Oriental Bank of Commerce 20. South Indian Bank 13. Punjab & Sind Bank 21. Tamilnadu Mercantile Bank 14. Punjab National Bank 22. Yes Bank 15. Syndicate Bank 22. Yes Bank 16. UCO Bank 17. Union Bank of India 18. United Bank of India 11 https://rbidocs.rbi.org.in/rdocs/Publications/PDFs/APB30091213F.pdf Version: 01 Page 32 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) 19. Vijaya Bank Other public sector banks 1. Bharatiya Mahila Bank 2. IDBI Bank Besides the above there are also the following banking providers that (if CBS enabled) can be used by Departments for enabling electronic payments: • Foreign Banks (RBI List available at : https://www.rbi.org.in/commonman/Upload/English/Content/PDFs/71207.pdf) • State Co-operative Banks (RBI List available at: https://www.rbi.org.in/Scripts/AboutUsDisplay.aspx?pg=StateCooperativeBanks.htm) • Urban Scheduled Co-operative Banks (RBI List available at : https://www.rbi.org.in/commonman/upload/English/Content/pdfs/schedulecoop.pdf) • Regional Rural Banks (RBI List available at: https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/AboutUsDisplay.aspx?pg=RegionalRuralBanks.htm) Annexure 2.1.2. : RBI authorized White label ATM providers The below mentioned list provides the list of RBI authorized White Label ATM Operators2 Sr. No. Name of the Authorized Entity Payment System Authorized White Label ATM Operators 1 AGS Transact Technologies Ltd. Installation and operation of WLAs 2 BTI Payments Pvt. Ltd. Installation and operation of WLAs 3 Hitachi Payment Services Pvt. Ltd. Installation and operation of WLAs known as ‘Money Spot’ 4 Muthoot Finance Ltd. Installation and operation of WLAs 5 RiddiSiddhi Bullions Limited - Installation and operation of WLAs 6 SREI Infrastructure Finance Ltd., Installation and operation of WLAs 7 Tata Communications Payment Installation and operation of WLAs Solutions Ltd. 8 Vakrangee Limited Installation and operation of WLAs Version: 01 Page 33 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Annexure 2.1.3. : RBI Authorized Pre-paid Payment Instruments The below mentioned list provides the list of RBI authorized Pre-paid Payment Instruments12 Sr. No. Name of the Authorized Entity Payment System Authorized Pre-paid Payment Instruments 1 Aircel Smart Money Limited Prepaid Payment Instruments 2 Airtel M Commerce Services Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known as Stored Value Card Wallet (SCW) ‘Airtel Money’ 3 Atom Technologies Limited Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘Atom Wallet’ and ‘Aquapay’ 4 Card Pro Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Prepaid Payment Instruments 5 Citrus Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘Citrus Cash’ 6 Delhi Integrated Multi- Modal Transit Pre-paid Payment Instruments System Limited 7 DigitSecure India Private Limited Pre-paid payment instruments e- wallet known as ‘HotRemit' 8 Edenred (India) Private Limited – nee Meal and gift paper vouchers, meal Accor Services Pvt. Ltd. and cafeteria cards, gift cards. The products are mainly under the brand name ‘Ticket/Ticket Restaurant/Ticket Compliments’ 9 Eko India Financial Services Private Pre-paid payment instruments Limited 10 Fino Paytech Ltd. (Transfer of authorisation Pre-paid payment instruments from erstwhile Nokia Mobile Payment Services India Pvt. Ltd.) 11 FX Mart Pvt. Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘FX Money’ 12 GI Technology Private Limited Pre-paid payment instruments Card known as 'I Cash' 13 Idea Mobile Commerce Services Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘Idea Money’ 14 India Transact Services Limited, Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘Ongo’ 15 Itz Cash Card Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known 12 Source: RBI https://rbi.org.in/scripts/publicationsview.aspx?id=12043 Version: 01 Page 34 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) as ‘Pay on web’, ‘Mobile Wallet’ and ‘Itz Cash BSNL trust Card’ 16 MMP Mobi Wallet Payment Systems Pre-paid payment instruments known Limited as ‘mRupee’ 17 Mpurse Services Pvt. Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘mpurse wallet’ 18 Muthoot Vehicle & Asset Finance Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments e- wallet known as ‘Muthoot Money’ and m-wallet known as ‘Muthoot wallet’ 19 My Mobile Payments Limited Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘MOM’ 20 One97 Communications Ltd. Mobile based Pre-paid payment instruments m- Wallet known as ‘Paytm wallet’ 21 One Mobikwik Systems Private Limited Prepaid Payment Instruments known as ‘Mobikwik Wallet’ 22 Oxigen Services (India) Pvt. Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘Oxigen Wallets’ 23 Paul Fincap Pvt. Ltd. Prepaid Payment Instruments 24 PayMate India Pvt. Limited Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘Paymate Wallet’ 25 Pay Point India Network Private Limited Pre-paid payment instruments known as 'Pay Pointz' 26 Premium eBusiness Ventures Private Pre-paid payment instruments Limited 27 Pyro Telecommunications Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments m- wallet known as ‘SpeedPay’ 28 QwikCilver Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments, Co- branded gift card known as ‘Issued by QwikCilver’ 29 Reliance Payment Solution Limited Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘Jio Money’ 30 Smart Payment Solutions Pvt. Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘PayCash’ 31 Sodexo SVC India Pvt. Ltd Paper based vouches known as Version: 01 Page 35 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Meal, Catering, Gift Gold, Gift Exclusive and Gift Advantage. Electronic based vouchers, gift passes known as Meal Card, Premium E Gift Exclusive E gift and Say Rewards 32 Spice Digital Ltd Pre-paid payment instruments 33 Tech Mahindra Limited Pre-paid payment instruments (m- wallet) known as ‘MoboMoney’ (Transfer of authorisation from erstwhile CanvasM Technologies Ltd.) 34 Transaction Analysts (India) Private Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known as ‘Transaction Assured’ 35 UAE Exchange & Financial Services Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments m- wallet known as ‘X-Pay 36 UTI Infrastructure Technology and Services Pre-paid payment instruments known Ltd. as National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) 35 Vodafone m-pesa Limited Pre-paid payment instruments known (Transfer of authorisation of erstwhile as ‘Vodafone M-pesa’ Mobile Commerce Solutions Ltd.) 36 Y-Cash Software Solutions Private Limited Pre-paid payment instruments m- wallet known as ‘Y-Pay Cash’ 37 ZipCash Card Services Pvt. Ltd. Pre-paid payment instruments known as 'ZipCash Coupons' Annexure 2.1.4. : List of Non-Bank Entity as Payment Service Providers RBI is empaneling Non-Bank entities such as Payment aggregators for receiving electronic payments as Bharat Bill Payment operating units (BBPOUs). Applicable (as per the guidelines) Government Departments are advised to refer following links for list of empaneled BBPOUs: www.rbi.org.in and http://www.npci.org.in/BBPS-about-us.aspx For the reference, list of major payment aggregators: Bill desk •Techprocess •CCAvenue •Times of Money/DirectPay •EBS •Citrus •Payu / PayuPaisa •Paytmpayment Version: 01 Page 36 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) •ZaakPay •SBIePay •(Many Others) Annexure 2.2. : Guidelines on Settlement of electronic Payments RBI guidelines for settlement of payments for electronic payment transactions involving intermediaries: https://www.rbi.org.in/scripts/NotificationUser.aspx?Mode=0&Id=5379 Version: 01 Page 37 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Annexure 3: Suggested guidelines for encouraging Departments to increase usage of above mentioned cashless option through CSCs/Bank/Third Party and PayOnline Departments should identify measures to encourage department’s staff, Citizens/businesses for usage of electronic modes of payments. The specific measures may include benefits to payee/payer for usage of available electronic options. The specific measures may be identified by the respective department. Annexure 6: Version: 01 Page 38 of 39Guidelines for Adoption of Electronic Payments and Receipts (EPR) Annexure 4 : Glossary Department - For the purposes of this document the term Department here refers to all Government Departments, Ministries, Utility service Providing Agencies, Municipal bodies, Public Sector bodies at the Central and State levels. Payment Service Providers (PSPs) – These are Third Party entities, which offer online services to Departments enabling acceptance of electronic payments by a variety of payment methods including credit card, debit card, bank-based payments such as direct bank transfer, and real-time bank transfer based on online banking. Typically, they use Software as a Service (SaaS) model and form a single payment gateway for their clients (merchants) offering multiple payment options. Payment Aggregator (PA) - Payment Aggregators are service providers through which electronic PSPs or merchants can process their payment transactions. Aggregators allow merchants to accept credit card and bank transfers without having to setup a merchant account with a bank or card association. The aggregator provides the means for facilitating payment from the consumer via credit and debit cards, stored value accounts or bank transfer to the merchant. Billing System - For the purposes of this document Billing System refers to the “Systems and Processes” used by Departments to generate due of external clients at a regularly defined frequency (say monthly, quarterly, annually, etc.) or as a one-time transaction against goods or services. Electronic Payment - A payment or transfer made using electronic medium either by the department to external/internal entity or external/internal entity to department. Version: 01 Page 39 of 39