PANAJI: A single smart card that citizens and tourists can use for cashless payments in the state capital? Come July 30, this could be a reality as Imagine Panaji Smart City Development Limited (IPSCDL) looks to make Panaji smart.Locals and tourists can use the Goa Universal Smart Card System to buy bus tickets , make payments in government departments like PWD , electricity or Corporation of the City of Panaji along with other household purchases. "Anybody can load currency in the card and spend it in the city," said IPSCDL director Sidharth Kuncalienkar.IPSCDL has partnered with HDFC Bank to implement the initiative. The ambitious plan depends on the acceptance by end users, in this case Panjimites and shopkeepers.Smart City officials are optimistic about the project's success as no Merchant Discount Rate (MDR) or transaction fee will be levied on merchants and government departments for transactions. "All government departments will be mandated to accept digital payments," IPSCDL chief executive officer and managing director Swayandipta Pal Chaudhuri said.Know your customer (KYC) norms will be applicable for residents who opt for the smart card, while business owners will have to sign an agreement with IPSCDL after which the merchants would be issued a PoS machine free of cost.IPSCDL will set up three or more counters across the capital from where citizens will be able to procure and recharge their Goa Universal Smart Card.
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