India launches Aadhar-enabled payment system

Mumbai: Now, postmen will double as ATMs. India Post has launched an Aadhaar-enabled payment system (AEPS) that will help people withdraw cash right at their doorstep. The facility will help people living in villages where ATMs are not available. Urban residents, too, can avail the facility.

People living in villages have to travel far to find ATMs and even after doing so, may not be able to withdraw money from the mac-hine due to various reasons. “To solve problems of people living in villages and help them withdraw money, we have launched AEPS fr-om the month of September. Through this, people can withdraw their money from any account at their door-step,” said Harish Agrawal, chief postmaster general of Maharashtra circle.

The Unique Identification Authority of India and Indian Post together have launched this initiative. Through this initiative, customers can withdraw money from any of their bank accounts.

“A customer must have linked his/her account to the Aadhaar number and mobile number. They can withdraw money through the Aadhaar identity and thumb impression,” said an officer. For this, the Post has provided a handheld device to the postmen. Through the device, postmen will help persons withdraw money from their account.

“The upper limit to withdraw money is as per the bank’s rule set for ATM. A person will get cash in his hand,” said Mr Agrawal.

Mr Agrawal said, “The customer can call on the toll free number. He will get an id number as a token of his appointment booking. The consumer will be asked for the thumb impression on the handheld machine and the ID number and after successful transaction, customer will get receipt of the transaction.” At present, this facility is chargeable and customers will be charged Rs 25 for each transaction but at the nearer post office, this facility will be available free of cost.