Latest news with #BBPS
Business Standard
02-08-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
From Bhubaneswar to Bharat: How hitch Is Empowering Small-Town India Through Digital Payments
New Delhi [India], July 31: In the vibrant city of Bhubaneswar, a dynamic fintech revolution is reshaping how India manages financial transactions. At the forefront is hitch, a platform launched in 2022 by 19-year-old visionary K. Sambid Kumar. Operating under Kottakota Business Development Pvt Ltd, hitch is transforming the financial landscape by offering seamless, rewarding, and secure solutions across all market segments—urban, semi-urban, and rural. Starting from Tier 2 cities and now competing with well-funded players, hitch prioritizes customer trust and convenience, ensuring financial services are accessible and beneficial to all. Navigating India's Diverse Payment Landscape India's digital payment ecosystem is booming, driven by widespread smartphone adoption and initiatives like the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS). However, challenges like limited banking access and varying levels of financial literacy persist across markets. hitch addresses these with a user-friendly app that simplifies bill payments, FASTag recharges, and rent processing via credit cards using Instant Money Transfer (IMPS). By integrating with BBPS, hitch ensures utility bills, insurance premiums, and other payments are accessible with a tap, delivering convenience and trust to users nationwide, from bustling cities to remote towns. Rewarding Transactions with Added Benefits hitch stands out by making every transaction rewarding. 'Tired of paying bills without perks? hitch is here to change the game!' declares their website, offering guaranteed cashback on every payment and a D2C prepaid card with exclusive benefits for end users. From mobile recharges in metro cities to rent payments in smaller towns, hitch's instant cashback, referral rewards, and prepaid card benefits turn routine transactions into opportunities for savings. Till date hitch has processed over 30,000 crores, reflecting its widespread appeal across India's diverse markets. Building Customer Trust and Convenience Financial inclusion hinges on trust and ease of use, and hitch excels in both. With robust encryption and partnerships with regulated fintech giants like M2P Fintech, Bajaj Finance, and Axis Bank, hitch ensures secure transactions that inspire confidence. Its intuitive design and ease of operations make it a preferred choice, offering services at lower costs compared to other players pan-India. A Bhubaneswar resident shares, 'hitch has revolutionized how I manage my finances! From rent to maintenance, it's seamless and trustworthy.' Another user, a busy professional, adds, 'I can bank confidently anytime, anywhere, with unmatched convenience.' An All-in-One Solution for Every Indian hitch's streamlined platform is a game-changer, consolidating bill payments, FASTag recharges, and rent processing into a clean, user-friendly interface. This simplicity is crucial across markets, where digital literacy varies. Whether it's a shopkeeper in Sambalpur or a professional in Gurugram, users can manage payments effortlessly without navigating complex banking portals. The app's instant rent processing via credit card, powered by IMPS, eliminates delays, offering unmatched convenience for tenants and landlords alike. The D2C prepaid card further enhances user benefits, making financial management rewarding and accessible. Amplifying Impact Through Community Engagement hitch's referral program drives growth by leveraging community trust, a key factor across urban and rural markets. By incentivizing users to invite friends, hitch creates a ripple effect, bringing more people into the digital payment ecosystem. A user in Rourkela or Delhi might refer hitch to a neighbor or colleague, earning rewards when they pay their electricity bill or recharge their prepaid card. This peer-to-peer model accelerates financial inclusion and fosters community empowerment, making digital payments a shared, rewarding journey. A Visionary Leader Competing with Giants Founded by K. Sambid Kumar, hitch embodies the ambition of a new India. Starting in Tier 2 cities, it now competes with heavily funded players, proving that innovation can thrive anywhere. The company's mission—'to empower users by providing innovative, secure data validation and financial services'—resonates across all markets. As one user notes, 'Earlier, I had to wait hours for funds to transfer. With hitch, it's a matter of seconds. A must-have on the phone!' The platform's ease of operations and cost-effective services set it apart in the competitive fintech landscape. Powering an Inclusive Digital Future As India aims for a Rs. 5 lakh crore economy, platforms like hitch are vital for inclusive growth. By offering secure, rewarding, and convenient financial services, including the innovative D2C prepaid card, hitch empowers millions across urban, semi-urban, and rural India to participate confidently in the digital economy. From Bhubaneswar to every corner of Bharat, hitch is proving that the future of finance is universal, accessible, and built on trust.
The Hindu
30-07-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
Bescom ATP machines to be discontinued from Aug 1
The Any Time Payment (ATP) machines, which were installed in Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) sub-division offices for payment of electricity bills will be discontinued from August 1. The kiosks, which used to be widely used for payment of bills, were shut down in 2015 after other modes of payment kicked in. However, following public demand, ATP machines were reopened in 2017 with the number of kiosks being increased from 117 to 217. Now, there are several ways to pay electricity bills, along with the Bescom website and the Bescom Mithra app. The bill payments can also be made using Spot Billing Devices, Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS), NEFT, and ECS (Electronic Clearing Service) and UPI platforms. 'Customers can continue to pay their electricity bills through cash payment counters at Bescom sub-divisional offices, Bangalore One, Karnataka One centres within Bescom's jurisdiction, and online payment methods such as the Bescom website and the Bescom Mithra app,' said Bescom officials. Further, an official of Bescom said that the contract period of ATP machines had come to an end and with the mode of payment not being widely used, it did not make fiscal sense to continue them.
United News of India
07-07-2025
- Business
- United News of India
Federal Bank powers digital donations at Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple
Kochi, July 7 (UNI) Federal Bank has announced the successful enablement of digital donation payments for Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple, marking a historic milestone as the first temple in Kerala to go live on the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) under the 'Donations' category of NPCI (National Payments Corporation of India). This integration now allows devotees to make offerings through any UPI-enabled app, including Federal Bank's Mobile Banking App, GooglePay, PhonePe, BHIM UPI, and more. The facility offers a safe, seamless, and convenient way for devotees across the globe to participate in temple donations - anytime, anywhere. Speaking on the initiative, M V S Murthy, Chief Marketing Officer, Federal Bank said, "We are honoured to be part of this significant step in the digital transformation of temple donations. Guruvayur Sri Krishna Temple now becomes a pioneer in Kerala by embracing a platform under BBPS." "Technology makes in convenient to express gratitude. The human at the core, is supported by digital at the fore.' O B Arun Kumar, Guruvayur Devaswom Board Administrator said, 'We are happy to be the first temple in Kerala to have embraced this technology to enable all devotees from across the world to offer their offerings from anywhere in the world to Guruvayur temple on special occasions or new beginnings.' This collaboration not only modernizes religious contributions but also reflects Federal Bank's commitment to making digital banking accessible and meaningful across all sectors, including India's revered cultural and spiritual institutions. UNI DS SS
Time of India
29-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
750 books in 22 languages to be added in curriculum
NEW DELHI: Twenty-two Indian languages — classified under phase I and phase II of the Bharatiya Bhasha initiative — have now been integrated into the academic framework of universities. Under the Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme (BBPS) — headed by the University Grants Commission and the Bharatiya Bhasha Samiti — over 1,000 authors have been mobilised to produce foundational textbooks in these languages, with 23 universities as nodal agencies, aiming at making higher education more inclusive and rooted in linguistic diversity. As of April 2025, over 750 books are in various stages of development, with 188 titles ready for publication, indicating a transformative shift in the higher education ecosystem, as India moves steadily towards implementing the goals of the National Education Policy 2020. The initiative is a direct outcome of NE's emphasis on multilingualism and mother tongue-based instruction.
Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
LMC initiative: Citizens can pay lumpsum online to avail 10% discount on garbage collection fee
LUCKNOW The Lucknow Municipal Corporation (LMC) has introduced a 10% discount on door-to-door waste collection user charges for citizens who make lumpsum payments through online modes. The discount, available till June 30, applies to payments made via UPI, BBPS, netbanking and cards, said officials. The discount, available till June 30, applies to payments made via UPI, BBPS, netbanking and cards, said officials. (Pic for representation) To mark the official rollout of the initiative, mayor Sushma Kharkwal paid the user charge for her residence through the LMC's website - She then urged citizens to follow her example, stressing that timely online payments would not only reduce hassle for households, but also help build a cleaner, smarter Lucknow. Chief tax assessment officer Ashok Kumar, along with citizens VM Pathak and Neha Singh, also paid their dues digitally in response to her appeal, the LMC stated in release on Friday. As per the new structure, homeowners paying a house tax of up to ₹ 5,000 annually will pay a monthly charge of ₹ 50, while those paying above ₹ 5,000 will pay ₹ 100 per month. Citizens can also opt for a yearly lumpsum payment to avail the 10% discount. The mayor clarified that after June 30, the discount will be available only to those who pay both the user charge and house tax in full. Citizens welcomed the online facility, saying it saves time, offers transparency, and prevents confusion over fluctuating service fees. 'Earlier, we weren't sure how much to pay for garbage collection. Now, the rates are fixed and available online,' said Rohit Sharma, a resident of Indira Nagar. Others appreciated the digital-first approach. 'I paid my charges through UPI in just a few minutes. It's smooth and convenient,' said Neha Singh, who attended the launch. To prevent irregular collections, the mayor issued a strong message to residents: if anyone demands money for garbage collection after you've paid online, report it immediately to the mayor's helpline at 6389200005. Municipal commissioner Gaurav Kumar directed officials to ensure every household is informed about the revised charges and the discount scheme. 'No citizen should face confusion. The process must be citizen-friendly and transparent,' he said. The LMC believes that regular collection will help reduce garbage dumping on roads and in drains, leading to better hygiene and a likely boost in Swachh Bharat rankings for the city.
