EXPLAINED: What Is e-RUPI And How It Removes Need For Cash In Accessing Govt Services
News 18The role of intermediaries and middlemen is seen as a significant drawback in the delivery of government aid to people as it allows leakage and pilferage that end up depriving the ultimate beneficiaries. Developed by the National Payments Corporation of India in collaboration with the Department of Financial Services, the Union Health Ministry and the National Health Authority, e-RUPI “is a cashless and contactless instrument for digital payment”, the Prime Minister’s Office said. The PMO said that the e-RUPI system can be used for “delivering services under schemes meant for providing drugs and nutritional support under Mother and Child welfare schemes and TB eradication programmes”. With the Union Health Ministry and NHA as aprtners, it will also be utilised to extend drugs and diagnostics under schemes like Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana — the national health insurance scheme for lower income groups — fertiliser subsidies, etc. While the DBT scheme relies on the troika of Jan Dhan accounts, Aadhaar numbers — although Aadhaar is not mandatory — and mobile phones, the e-RUPI system will not require users’ bank account details.