In an effort to streamline municipal payments collection, Grant Thornton Bharat offers a comprehensive automation solution. Our expertise enables municipal corporations to efficiently manage their billing systems, while payment apps and bill service providers bear the fee. Our methodology involves a thorough understanding of the municipalities' systems and requirements, followed by a structured onboarding process.

Step 1

Validation of the requirements

The validation process begins with a pro-bono consultation to understand the municipalities' systems and requirements. This involves categorising requirements, identifying potential gaps, and assessing the present stage. A validation workshop is conducted to incorporate the identified gaps into the Business Requirements Document (BRD) and document the value proposition for Third-Party Application Providers (TPAP). The bill payment opportunity is also assessed by evaluating the number of customers, transactions, expectations, value of transactions, and present stages of automation.

Step 2

Discussion with bill collection apps

Based on the validation of the requirements, one of the following options will be selected: TPAP onboarding, digital integration, or end-to-end digitisation. TPAP onboarding involves evaluating potential offerings for municipalities and initiating the process. Digital integration supports integrating websites with payment gateways and third-party applications. End-to-end digitisation requires preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) for digitisation, including ERP-based development, payment gateway integration, and third-party application integration.

Step 3

Assistance with onboarding

User Acceptance Testing (UAT) preparation, testing, and go-live support are provided to ensure a smooth onboarding process. A UAT strategy is prepared, test cases are identified for each module, and testing is performed. Issues are identified, and reported errors are fixed. Finally, sign-off is obtained from department heads, and the system is live. 

Optimising municipal revenue collection through automation

Access to past billing information and consolidated ledgers act as a system of checks and balances, greatly reducing the incidence of corruption within municipalities.

Automating bill collection through TPAs can help municipalities cut down on IT infrastructure costs, including server maintenance, security, software updates, and data storage. The savings can then be redirected to other essential municipal needs.

By issuing bills earlier and enabling residents to pay through TPAPs, municipalities can benefit from the float—the interest or earnings on funds held before transfer to the government’s account. This additional revenue strengthens the municipality’s financial health.

TPAPs enable faster fund transfers, ensuring that collected revenue is deposited into the municipal account promptly—either on the same day (T) or within one day (T+1). This improves cash flow and enhances financial planning efficiency.

Implementing an automated billing system allows for real-time financial tracking, preventing revenue leakages.

Benefits to customers from bill payment automation

1.

Timely, accurate and automated collection

Automation enables timely and efficient dues collection, strengthening municipal finances.

2.

Low transaction failure and minimal collection fee

Automated systems reduce transaction failures caused by system fragmentation. Payment system democratisation has benefited cities like Delhi and Mumbai, streamlining processes and significantly cutting operational costs.

3.

Grievance redressal - Management by TPAP

TPAPs efficiently manage grievance redressal, easing the government's burden and improving customer satisfaction through dedicated support teams.

ERP-based integration

ERP-based integration

1.
Municipal bill collection automation
A municipality with e-governance access and digital payment modules for select services. Users can pay property tax, water bills, and apply for trade licenses online.
2.
Challenges and solution
Grant Thornton Bharat helped the municipality leverage its ERP system to integrate more services and improve citizen experience. Our team identified areas for improvement and implemented a solution.
3.
Benefits and outcomes
The municipality improved citizen engagement and increased service efficiency. Integration of more services into the ERP system provided a seamless experience for citizens.
ERP & bill collection

ERP & bill collection

1.
Streamlining municipal services
A municipality with e-governance access and digital payment modules for select services. Users can pay property tax and apply for certificates online.
2.
Challenges and solution
Grant Thornton Bharat's team worked with the municipality to integrate bill collection and improve service delivery. Our expertise in municipal bill collection automation helped leverage the existing ERP system.
3.
Benefits and outcomes
The municipality improved service efficiency and increased citizen satisfaction. Bill collection integration provided a seamless experience for citizens.
ERP & 3rd party integration

ERP & 3rd party integration

1.
A flourishing digitised corporation
A municipality providing digitised services, including vendor registration, property taxes, and ancillary services. Users can manage documentation online.
2.
Challenges and solution
Grant Thornton Bharat's team integrated third-party applications and improved service delivery. Our expertise in municipal bill collection automation helped leverage the existing ERP system.
3.
Benefits and outcomes
The municipality improved service efficiency and increased citizen satisfaction. Third-party application integration provided a seamless experience for citizens.

    Our leaders

    Dharmender Jhamb
    Dharmender Jhamb
    Partner and FinTech Industry Leader
    Noida
    View full profile
    Bhupinder Jit
    Bhupinder Jit
    Director, Financial Services...
    New Delhi
    View full profile