When a citizen walks into your center and pays ₹80 for a Patta Chitta copy, where does that money go? Most operators answer: "Into my cash box." But the honest answer is: part of it belongs to the government, and part of it is yours. If you don't know which is which, you can't run a profitable center.
This guide breaks down the billing structure of e-Sevai services and explains how to communicate it clearly to citizens — and to yourself.
What is a government fee?
Every e-Sevai service has a fixed fee set by the Tamil Nadu government. This is the amount a citizen is legally required to pay for that service — whether they apply online, at a collectorate, or at your center. You collect this fee on behalf of the government and remit it through the e-Sevai portal.
This money is not your income. It passes through your cash box on its way to the state treasury.
What is a service charge?
Your service charge is the fee you charge for your time, your center's infrastructure, and the service you're providing. This is your revenue — the money that stays with you after you've remitted the government fee.
There is no fixed rule on how much you can charge, but it should be reasonable and consistent. Citizens who feel they're being charged fairly will return and refer others.
Common services — fee examples
| Service | Typical Govt. Fee | Typical Service Charge | Total Collected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aadhaar correction | ₹50 | ₹30–50 | ₹80–100 |
| Patta Chitta (copy) | ₹30 | ₹30–50 | ₹60–80 |
| EC (Encumbrance Certificate) | ₹50–200 | ₹50–100 | ₹100–300 |
| Community / Income Certificate | ₹60 | ₹50–80 | ₹110–140 |
| TNEB bill payment | ₹0 | ₹10–20 | ₹10–20 |
Note: Government fees are indicative. Always verify the current rate on the official e-Sevai portal before billing.
Why printing both on the receipt matters
When a citizen receives a receipt that only shows "Total: ₹80", they have no idea how much of that was a government fee and how much was your charge. This creates two problems:
- Disputes: Citizens who later check the government fee rate online will feel overcharged if they don't see the service charge clearly separated.
- Trust: Transparent billing builds a reputation. A center that itemises its charges is seen as professional and honest.
Best practice: Always print two line items on your receipt — "Government fee: ₹30" and "Service charge: ₹50". This protects you from disputes and builds long-term trust with your customers.
How to set up billing correctly in sevaiOS
sevaiOS pre-configures government fees for all common Tamil Nadu e-Sevai services. When you raise a bill, the government fee is automatically added as a separate line item. You enter your service charge on top.
The printed receipt shows both clearly. The system also tracks government fees separately from your revenue, so your profit reports are always accurate — you never accidentally count remitted fees as your income.
Common billing mistakes to avoid
- Charging a flat amount without tracking the split — If you collect ₹100 and the government fee is ₹60, your revenue is ₹40, not ₹100. Missing this leads to overstated revenue and a nasty surprise at tax time.
- Not updating government fees when they change — The state periodically revises fees. An outdated fee in your system means you're either under-collecting (and absorbing the difference) or over-collecting (which is illegal).
- Forgetting to record cash payments — Revenue you don't record is profit you can't prove. Every payment — cash or UPI — should generate a bill.
Bill clearly. Know your profit exactly.
sevaiOS separates government fees from your service charges automatically, so every receipt is clear and every profit report is accurate.
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