PWD to get e-payment system

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Soon, the contractors connected with the state Public Works Department will get paid through the e-payment system. As a path-breaking initiative of the PWD to end corruption and nepotism, a Government Order (GO) regarding the introduction of e-payment was issued recently.With the introduction of e-payment, PWD will become the first department to adapt e-procurement.“The implementation of e-payment will help in faster transfer of money, minimise corruption, bring transparency and lead to effective functioning. The e-payment will be introduced in a phased manner.In the first phase, e-payment will be introduced at Roads and Bridges division of the PWD,’’ the GO states.The payment will be made through Real Time Gross Settlement (RTGS) maintained by Reserve Bank of India. RGTS is the fastest possible money transfer system through the banking channel. The minimum payment which could be done through RTGS is Rs 1 lakh.The existing accounts (RTGS) of Divisional Officers under PWD will be utilised for the implementation of e-payment system in PWD. All the sub-divisional officers of Roads and Bridges wing will be issued directives to start zero balance account in the Treasury banks through which they are drawing cheques, as part of the implementation of the e-payment scheme. Though it would take some time to introduce e-payment facility in the department, the new move would bring transparency in the department.The e- tender which is being introduced in the department will be more effective with the introduction of e-payment. PWD is the first department to introduce e-procurement. It first introduced e-notification, which was followed by e-tender. The implementation of e-payment will be the final step which will complete the process.