HYDERABAD: Barely three days after its launch, the digital payment option, T Wallet, launched by the Telangana government is facing criticism from users about transaction charges being levied while making payments.
The app, on the Google Playstore, has a rating of 4.3, with 375 five star ‘reviews’ out of a total of 522. However, technology observers have long noted the unreliability of the ratings system. Further, even those who have given five-star ratings have complaints about the transaction charges. Other complaints being raised in Google Playstore review section relate to frequent error messages and bugs in the app.
“I tried to pay electricity bill and added `581 then tried TSNPDCL (Northern Power Distribution Company of Telangana) bill pay but it then showed error. I tried many times but no use and then thought of withdrawing my money from the wallet but not able to transfer the amount back.
When I entered `570, the app allowed the money to be transferred back. Then, my T Wallet balance should be `11 but it showed `0,” wrote Rajasri Lakka. “They charged `11 for transferring my money back into my own account,” she lamented.
At the app’s launch on June 1, IT Minister KT Rama Rao has said that no charges would be levied on T Wallet users. However, the “About” section of the app only says no service charge will be levied. According to the Terms and Conditions users will be charged for loading money to the wallet.
Those using Visa and Master cards will be charged 1.9 per cent plus service tax. Netbanking users will be charged 1.6 per cent plus service tax and debit card users will have to pay 0.3 to 1 per cent plus tax for different amounts.
A message from the IT, Electronics & Communication department (ITE&C) in response to a user complaint said, “Please note that we don’t collect any amount when payments are made for services, registered with T Wallet. Online/Smart Phone users are required to pay charges for loading money to 3rd party Payment Gateway Aggregator only. No charges are levied for top-ups at MeeSeva centres.
We are working on better gateway options.”Meanwhile, several users are urging others to opt for wallets designed by private companies instead.
How many merchants on app?
KTR had said close to 1.2 lakh merchants had been enabled through the app. The merchants were registered by Transaction Analysts, a Bengaluru-based digital payments firm. Efforts to find out from the firm how many merchants are on the platform proved futile.