Visa, AP tie up to benefit over 90% Vizagites

Visakhapatnam: Visa, which tied up with the Andhra Pradesh government for Digital Dhan Sankalp project, is an initiative to develop Visakhapatnam into India’s first ‘less cash’ city, said minister for IT Nara Lokesh.

• Services will be extended all over AP, says Lokesh
• The initiative aims at making the coastal city country’s first ‘less cash’ city
• The range of digital payment services under the project to include property and water tax of GVMC, RTC services, Vuda tourist services

Briefing the media here on Monday, Lokesh along with Visa group country manager for India and south Asia T R Ramachandran announced the e-transformation of large state-owned service providers of the state into digital payments mode under the Vizag Digital Dhan Sankalp (VDDS) project is now accessible to over 90 per cent of the city’s two million strong population.

Aimed at better service delivery and creating an inclusive society, the digital payment-enabled services include property and water tax at Greater Visakhapatnam Municipal Corporation , bus services run by APSRTC, iconic tourist locations under VUDA and utility services of EPDCL.

“After observing the functioning of these services, we will launch a campaign all over the state for less cash transaction. Millions of citizens will benefit through this initiative on a daily basis while we continue to transform public service delivery through digital payments in the state.

Digitisation of transactions will lead to a reduction of costs and improved convenience for all stakeholders involved, as we continue to realise our vision of making Vizag, India’s first less–cash city and the FinTech Valley of India. Key to our mission will be working closely with citizens,’’ Lokesh said.

He said digitisation of various other payments like those to educational institutions, small and micro merchants, and street market vendors is underway as the state government is considering mandating digital acceptance through amendments to the AP Shop and Establishments Act. “Digital transformation of payments will improve public service delivery by infusing more efficiency and transparency into the system.

Visa payWave cards can play in enabling citizens across the state. Digitisation of payments will help re-imagining a smarter nation driven by the synergy between citizens and the state and roll out superior citizen experience rooted in transparency,” Lokesh said.