RBI's Deputy Governor R Gandhi has said that the apex bank differs from the idea that payments sector should be freed of licensing mechanism. <br/><br/>He was speaking to reporters after the launch of BharatQR, an inter-operable and low cost payment acceptance solution, developed by National Payments Corporation of India in Mumbai today. Mr. Gandhi said 'fit and proper' criterion is important for entities that wish to provide payment services as they will be entrusted with public money. <br/><br/>He said RBI differs from an implied suggestion that any number of entities who fit a set criteria must be allowed to function as payment service provider. Mr. Gandhi said such a free entry may not be appropriate and it can pose a risky proposition to the system as a whole. <br/><br/>Trying to clear the misconception that non-bank entities are being discriminated as compared to the banking entities in the payment system arena; Mr. Gandhi quoted the examples of Bharat Bill Payment System, Trade Receivables Discounting System and White Label ATMs (where non-bank entities are operating).