Tata Teleservices To Provide m-Governance Services To K'taka

To kick-start m-Governance in the state, the Government of Karnataka has joined hands with Tata Teleservices and MMP Mobi Wallet Systems Ltd (MMPL), the mobile payments arm of Tata Teleservices Ltd, in launching the mGovernance Pilot project. MMPL enables the Government in taking the mode of payments by residents beyond Credit Cards, through the use of ‘mRupee’, a prepaid wallet service where any mobile customer can register for this wallet and then load it with cash at designated mRupee retail outlets. They can then use this wallet balance to pay for the mGovernance services like bill payments from the convenience of their home or anywhere, anytime. No need to queue up outside stores/ respective payment centres to pay bills. The service allows residents to pay for electricity bills, property tax, water bill, traffic challan plus many more services of the Government of Karnataka. Tata Teleservices are also providing USSD connectivity for the residents to access the services.

The MoU commissioning the project was signed in Bangalore between MMPL and Government of Karnataka.

Deepak Gulati, Executive President, Tata Teleservices Ltd. said, “We feel very proud to be the first of its kind prepaid wallet to be associated with m-governance services in the state. Karnataka Government is a pioneer in the use of ICTs in making Government services available to all the residents. Together we have taken a significant step in providing valuable services to residents, which can be accessed through any mobile phone.”

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Tata Teleservices’ association with this project not only makes the payments of utility bills easier for residents but also showcases the company’s keenness to partner the government to pioneer technological and m-commerce solutions for various citizen services.

ISN 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 service to residents anytime anywhere and on any device the e-Governance department has taken up this m-Governance initiative. At the launch of this Phase 1, services would be enabled across multiple access channels like USSD, Voice and Mobile Web to cover the entire range of phones, from a basic to an advanced smartphone. 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 in ensuring a 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 enroll for the mRupee services, residents need to contact any mRupee Agent in the city and complete an one time registration process, load the money in their account, and they are then ready to go. Customers, then, need to generate a One Time Password (OTP) that would enable them to pay for the mGovernance services.

The service is approved by Govt. of Karnataka and is a very simple and safe process. With mRupee one can also pay other bills like Tata DoCoMo postpaid bills and prepaid recharges, or transfer money to another mRupee user or any bank account in India.