An e-payment service system, which helps people to make payments to local government bodies via online, has been launched in Kerala.

The system will enable people to remit any kind of payments to civic bodies, especially property and professional taxes, without visiting the respective offices.

It is part of efforts of Information Kerala Mission (IKM), a flagship e-governance project of Kerala Government to implement total computerisation of the grassroots level administration of the state, IKM sources said.

Launching the e-payment system, City Corporation Mayor K Chandrika termed it as a "path-breaking initiative which will upgrade the conventional tax payment and collection system in the state."

"The new system will be a great boon for people especially non-resident Keralites who have properties in the home state. The e-payment system will help them pay taxes and remit dues without visiting the state," Chandrika said here today.

She said the online payment system would also help to improve the income of local government bodies like corporations.

"Own-fund income is very important for the institutions like corporations. I hope, the new system will play a significant role in this regard," she said.

The tax payers would get every information at their finger tip in the new system and they could make tax payment sitting at their own home or office.

As per the plan, Thiruvananthapuram Corporation will be the first civic body in the state to have such a service.

People could use credit cards and debit cards for making payment under the new system. Net banking facilities of over 30 leading banks in the country would also be used for it and more banks and debit cards would be added to the list soon, IKM officials said.

Other than property tax, other dues would also be added to the e-payment facility. A small transaction charge would have to be met by the payer, they said.

"The payment facility will be a great help for those who are not normally residing here as payment can be done from anywhere in the world," said M K Prasad, Executive Chairman and Director, Information Kerala Mission (IKM).