In the contemporary era, where everything is shifting towards digitalization, the people, as well as the government, have started adopting technology in their day-to-day functions to improve operations. With the launch of the Digital India campaign in 2015, the government has embraced online infrastructure by increasing internet connectivity. Among many initiatives by the government, the e-grass portal is one of the best service platforms offered by the government of India to collect revenue online. Before the introduction of the e-grass portal, the revenue collection system was dominated by manual procedures. Farmers, individuals, and business persons had to visit the government office, fill out the necessary paperwork, and make payments either in cash or through demand drafts. The process was long and tedious as there was no guarantee whether the person in authority would collect revenue on the same day or not. People had to wait in long queues and wait for their turn. The traditional method was time-consuming and prone to errors. There were also instances of mismanagement and corruption in the end, which increased frustration among people. The way government revenues are collected underwent a fundamental shift with the launch of the E-GRAS portal. It allowed consumers to make payments online at any time and from any location by digitising the entire process, doing away with the need for paperwork and in-person visits. In this blog, we will dive into the concept of the E-GRAS portal, its features, advantages, and how it influences government financial transactions as we advance in this tutorial.
What is the E-GRAS Portal?
E-GRAS (Government Receipt Accounting System) is an electronic platform that was developed with the aim of collecting revenue from Individuals, companies, and other organizations like societies, trusts, educational institutes, and government departments. It allows them to pay taxes, fees, and other mandatory taxes in this integrated electronic portal. The E-Gras portal is under the jurisdiction of the state government, and it is the state government’s responsibility to ensure the guaranteed effective digitization of the local revenue systems. Long lines, tedious paperwork, and inefficiencies related to conventional revenue collection techniques are all eliminated by the portal. It makes the process transparent and easy to use by enabling payments through a variety of methods.
Features of E-Gras Portal
E-Gras portal is regulated by the state government and it has the following key features:
1. Simple Registration and Login:
The E-gras portal offers a quick and easy registration facility for users. You just need to enter your basic details such as your name, email, and contact number.
2. Access to Multiple Government Departments:
The E-GRAS covers a wide range of departments, such as Excise and Taxation, Agriculture and Architecture, Land Records, etc. On the portal, you can make payments ranging from fees to government taxes.
3. Multiple Payment Options:
The portal offers several payment methods such as payments through different Banks and Cards. You can choose the option that is convenient for you and suits you the best.
4. Instant Payment Confirmation:
Once you make a payment, the system gives you instant confirmation through e-challan. There is no waiting in the queue for the confirmation.
5. E-Receipt Generation:
Once you make the payment, you will receive an electronic receipt on your portal. This e-receipt is proof of the payment made. You can save it easily and print it for future purposes.
6. Track Payment History:
The E-Grass portal allows you to track your payments and record all your transactions. This feature makes it easy to see what payments you’ve made, how much you’ve paid, and when you’ve paid.
7. User-Friendly Interface:
It is designed to allow laymen to file their taxes and payments online without any hassle.
8. 24/7 Accessibility:
The E-GRAS portal is available 24/7. This means that you can make payments at any time that suits you best. You need to keep in mind the payment deadline, and you can leave the rest on the E-Grass Portal.
9. Search Challan:
The E-Grass portal allows the user to search their challan and track payment activity.
Advantages of E-GRAS Portal
The E-gras portal has numerous advantages, including:
- It is convenient for users as you can make the payment from anywhere, at any time, using a computer or mobile.
- Electronic filing allows you to minimize errors in payment processing.
- All transactions are electronically recorded, which reduces the chances and risks of corruption.
- There is a comparative decrease in waste generated and environmental impact due to the absence of a manual payment process.
- The government and the user can easily track the record of payment.
States Leveraging E-Gras Portal
There are states in India that have implemented the e-gras system and some of them are mentioned below:
- Rajasthan: The state of Rajasthan provides the facility of online tax collection at https://egras.rajasthan.gov.in/
- Haryana: The state of Haryana provides the facility of online tax collection at https://cashless.haryana.gov.in/eGRASReport?FYS=200
- Maharashtra: The state of Maharashtra provides the facility of online tax collection at https://gras.mahakosh.gov.in/echallan/
- Assam: The state of Assam provides the facility of online tax collection at https://assamegras.gov.in/
Who can use E-gras Service?
Following can take the benefit of e-gras portal:
- Individual
- Businesses
- Societies, Trusts, educational institutions, government departments, etc.
- Non-residents like the individuals or entities residing outside India
How to Use the E-GRAS Portal
You need to follow the below-mentioned steps to use the E-GRAS portal:
- Visit E-gras portal of your respective state.
- The next step is to register on the portal with the basic details, including name, email ID, and contact number.
- After successful registration, log in using the credentials.
- Choose the government department for which the payment is to be made.
- Fill in the necessary details such as amount, purpose, and payment mode.
- Review the entered details and proceed to make the payment.
- Once you make the payment, you will receive an electronic receipt on your portal. This e-receipt is the proof of payment that you have made.
Conclusion
The E-GRAS portal is an important step in modernizing and simplifying revenue collection for governments in India. Not only does it save time, but it also has a great impact on the environment as it reduces the carbon footprint and allows users to make payments at any place at any time. It provides convenience to people, organisations, and other entities with its user-friendly interface, several payment choices, and round-the-clock accessibility. As India is making its way towards digitisation, the E-Gras portal is one step towards achieving this goal. Currently, only 4 states have implemented the system in their states; as more governments implement the E-GRAS system, more users will adopt the technology for essential purposes.
FAQs
1. What is the purpose of the E-GRAS portal?
The E-GRAS portal enables the online collection of government revenue, including taxes and fees, making the process easier and more transparent.
2. Who can use the E-GRAS portal for payments?
The portal is available for individuals, businesses, educational institutions, trusts, societies, and even non-residents.
3. Can I make payments on the E-GRAS portal anytime?
Yes, the E-GRAS portal is available 24/7, allowing users to make payments at their convenience.
4. What payment methods are accepted on the E-GRAS portal?
Users can pay via debit/credit cards, online banking, and other secure digital payment options.
5. Is it necessary to visit government offices to use the E-GRAS portal?
No, the portal allows users to complete transactions online without the need for in-person visits.
6. How can I track my payment history on the E-GRAS portal?
The portal provides a feature that lets users track their entire payment history for easy reference.
7. What happens after I make a payment on the E-GRAS portal?
After a successful payment, an electronic receipt (e-challan) is generated as proof of payment, which can be saved or printed for future reference.
