Union Government launched an Integrated e-Bill System for processing fertiliser subsidy payments, covering an annual outlay of around ₹2 lakh crore. The system strengthens transparency, efficiency, financial control, and technology-driven governance by replacing manual, paper-based processes with a fully digital, system-to-system workflow.
Institutional Partnership
- Developed through collaboration between:
- Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS)– Department of Fertilizers
- Public Financial Management System (PFMS)– Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance
About Integrated e-Bill System (for Fertiliser Subsidies)
Nodal Ministry
- Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Aim
- To ensure timely, transparent, rule-based and accountable disbursal of fertiliser subsidies.
- To strengthen financial control, auditability, compliance, and efficiency through digital governance.
Key Features of e-Bill System
- End-to-end digital workflow — eliminates physical bills and manual file movement.
- Online claim submission — fertiliser companies upload subsidy claims digitally.
- Real-time tracking & centralised reporting of expenditure and payment status.
- FIFO-based (First-In-First-Out) processing — ensures uniform and predictable bill clearance.
- Built-in financial controls — validates payments against predefined eligibility & rule-based criteria.
- Tamper-proof audit trail — logs every action for audit & accountability.
- Automation-enabled fraud prevention — reduces risks of misuse or irregularities.
- Faster payments — facilitates timely weekly release of fertiliser subsidy payments.
- Represents a paradigm shift from manual paperwork to a fully digital, system-integrated workflow.
Significance
- Enhances transparency, accountability, and financial discipline in one of India’s largest subsidy programmes.
- Reduces delays, discretion, fraud risk, and administrative burden.
- Improves ease of doing business for fertiliser companies through:
- Online claim processing
- Real-time tracking
- Reduced physical visits & follow-ups
Fertiliser Subsidy
- India follows a Nutrient-Based Subsidy (NBS) regime for phosphatic & potassic fertilisers.
- Urea subsidy is provided under a separate controlled price mechanism.
- Fertiliser subsidy ensures:
- Affordable fertiliser prices for farmers
- Support to agricultural productivity & food security
Public Financial Management System (PFMS)
- Operated by Controller General of Accounts (CGA), Ministry of Finance.
- Platform for DBT payments, expenditure monitoring, and fund tracking across schemes.
Integrated Financial Management System (IFMS)
- Digital platform for financial transactions, accounting, approvals, and bill processing within ministries.