Empowering Consumers: India’s ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ Scheme Promotes Transparency

Empowering Consumers: India's 'Mera Bill Mera Adhikar' Scheme Promotes Transparency
Empowering Consumers: India's 'Mera Bill Mera Adhikar' Scheme Promotes Transparency

A groundbreaking endeavor to heighten financial transparency and empower consumers is on the horizon as the Indian government prepares to launch the visionary ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ invoice incentive scheme. With its commencement set for September 1, this revolutionary initiative seeks to establish the habit of soliciting invoices during transactions, fostering a culture deeply rooted in fiscal responsibility and accountability.

The innovative ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ scheme, conceived by the Central Board of Indirect Taxes and Customs (CBIC), aspires to instill confidence and assurance among consumers as they engage in their purchasing journeys. At its core, the initiative strives to raise awareness about the significance of procuring genuine invoices in business-to-consumer interactions, ultimately contributing to a more transparent and equitable economic landscape.

Under the framework of this scheme, consumers are presented with compelling incentives to demand invoices for their purchases. A spectrum of cash prizes ranging from ₹10,000 to an impressive ₹1 crore awaits participants. These incentives will be distributed through both monthly and quarterly draws, infusing the process with excitement and tangible rewards. The scheme’s structure ensures that individuals stand a chance to win substantial cash prizes by simply making the request for legitimate invoices during their transactions.

The ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ initiative encompasses all invoices issued by suppliers registered under the Goods and Services Tax (GST). This comprehensive scope ensures that a wide array of transactions falls within the purview of the program. Initially, consumers from six states and union territories – Assam, Gujarat, Haryana, Puducherry, Daman & Diu, and Dadra & Nagar Haveli – will be the privileged beneficiaries of this inventive incentive program.

In the digital era, technology takes center stage in facilitating endeavors of this nature. The government has crafted the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ mobile application, accessible on both iOS and Android platforms. This app offers a seamless avenue for consumers to upload their invoices for consideration in the prize draws. To ensure validity, the uploaded invoices must encompass critical details such as the seller’s GSTIN (Goods and Services Tax Identification Number), invoice number, payment amount, and tax particulars.

At its essence, the ‘Mera Bill Mera Adhikar’ scheme aims to orchestrate a constructive shift in consumer conduct. By motivating individuals to actively solicit legitimate invoices, the initiative champions accountability, curbs tax evasion, and contributes to the burgeoning of the formal economy. Moreover, the scheme fortifies the government’s endeavors to streamline GST processes and amplify revenue collection.

Chairman of Central Board of Indirect Taxes & Customs: Shri Sanjay Kumar Agarwal