Innovative ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ Scheme to Encourage Transparent Transactions

The forthcoming initiative by the government, termed the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ invoice incentive scheme, is set to roll out on September 1, initially launching in six specific states and Union Territories. Designed to encourage the practice of requesting bills during transactions, this program is slated to kick off in Assam, Gujarat, and Haryana, along with the Union Territories of Puducherry, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli, as highlighted by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC).

Aiming to foster the habit of constantly seeking invoices from customers, the invoice incentive scheme stands as a novel endeavour to promote transparency. CBIC, in a Twitter announcement, revealed that individuals have the opportunity to earn cash prizes through the uploading of GST invoices.

The essence of the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ scheme lies in its inclusivity. Every invoice issued by Goods and Services Tax (GST) registered suppliers to consumers is eligible for participation in the scheme. The core mechanism involves the allocation of cash rewards through monthly and quarterly draws, with the price range spanning from a modest Rs 10,000 to a substantial sum of up to Rs 1 crore.

To be considered for the lucky draw, invoices must meet a minimum purchase value of Rs 200. Moreover, individuals are granted the liberty to upload a maximum of 25 invoices within a single month, commencing from September 1. The initiative is facilitated by the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ mobile application, which will be compatible with both IOS and Android platforms. The uploaded invoices must contain pertinent details such as the GSTIN of the seller, invoice number, amount paid, and corresponding tax amount.

At its core, the scheme has been meticulously crafted to serve as a potent incentive for citizens and consumers alike. The underlying aim is to instil the practice of actively seeking legitimate invoices from sellers, especially during business-to-consumer (B2C) transactions involving the exchange of goods and services. By fostering a sense of responsibility and awareness, the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ initiative strives to bridge the gap between transparency and accountability in economic transactions.