India, June 1 -- All 549 panchayats of Raigarh district in Chhattisgarh have adopted digital payment systems, including UPI-based transactions, for tax collections and vendor payments, an official said.

The initiative, which began in the financial year 2023-24, aligns with directives from the Union government to minimise human interface and plug leakages through increased use of digital mechanisms. Since the initiative's roll-out, the panchayats have collectively mobilised over Rs.10 crore in revenue during 2023-24.

"Raigarh is first district in Chhattisgarh which has started the digital payment system in village," an official said.

The district administration spearheaded the move after a central advisory encouraged digital adoption to...