Govt hikes Mee Seva user charges by 50%

The Government of Telangana has announced a 50% increase in user charges for all Mee Seva services, with the revised rates coming into immediate effect (from April 1 onwards). Citizens will also have to pay an additional 18% GST on the enhanced charges.

Mee Seva, a flagship e-governance initiative, was introduced to improve the delivery of public services through a standardised digital framework. It enables citizens to apply for various government services, obtain digitally signed certificates and approvals, and make payments electronically.

According to the latest government order issued by K Ramakrishna Rao, the revision aims to streamline service delivery while ensuring sustainability of the MeeSeva ecosystem.

Under the revised structure, Category-A services will now cost RS 62 (inclusive of GST), up from Rs 35, while Category-B services will cost Rs 80, up from Rs 45. Additional charges for scanning or printing beyond four pages have also been increased to Rs 2.50 per page.

Similarly, bill payment service charges have been revised. Payments earlier costing Rs 20, Rs 25, and Rs 30 will now cost Rs 35, Rs 44 and Rs 53 respectively after including GST. For electricity bill payments under TGNPDCL and TGSPDCL, charges have also been increased based on bill amounts, with the lowest slab (Rs 1 to Rs 200) rising from Rs 2 to Rs 4, and the highest slab (above Rs 2,500) is increasing from Rs 25 to Rs 44.

The government has also detailed a revised revenue-sharing model among stakeholders, including Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs), Electronic Service Delivery (ESD), Service Centre Agencies (SCAs), departments, and infrastructure providers. Notably, the shares allocated to infrastructure, departments, and SCAs remain unchanged, ensuring that franchisees and VLEs receive a larger portion of the increased charges.

For Category-A services, out of Rs 62, VLEs will receive Rs 40.34, while for Category-B services, they will get Rs 52.10. In bill payment services, VLEs will continue to receive the highest share, reinforcing their role in service delivery at the grassroots level.

The order also specifies that in cases where certain services do not involve departmental share or stationery costs, the remaining amount will be distributed between ESD and VLEs in a 30:70 ratio.

Officials stated that the revision is necessary to maintain operational efficiency and improve service quality across Mee Seva centres.

The Commissioner of ESD has been directed to implement the revised charges immediately, while District Collectors and departments have been instructed to ensure smooth execution across the state.

The move is expected to have a direct impact on citizens availing Mee Seva services, even as the government maintains that the increase will help strengthen the digital service delivery infrastructure in Telangana.