Digital payment system: problems and prospects

Abstract

The wind of change in payment system in India is gaining strength by government accelerating financial inclusion, opening new business models and providing impetus to digital payments system. The system offers an unprecedented opportunity to people, most of whom lives in rural India or are migrants in big cities. Traditionally, the field of payments has been bank driven but with the continuous innovation in the technology, payment system is emerging as a distinct industry. Following the demonetization of high denomination paper currency notes, the Government urged small traders to embrace technology by using digital payment systems. It is expected that by embracing technology, we can bring about a big transformation in the form of a cashless society. However, thi transformational phase is accompanied by heightened concerns around cyber crime, consumer protection, competition, safety and convenience. The anonymity of cash transaction is a non_trivial barrier to digital payments and is a constant battle between Government and those who evade taxes.