Panchkula, January 6
The Haryana Power Corporations of the state have decided to introduce on-the-spot billing and payment of electricity charges beginning this month.

Under the initiative, the person deployed for meter-reading will prepare the bill based on the number of units consumed. This bill would be handed over to the consumer who would also have the facility of paying the same on-the-spot through cheque. This facility would be in addition to the existing bill payment counters.

This experiment would be launched from Panchkula by the Uttar Haryana Bijli Vitran Nigam (UHBVN) as a pilot project by the end of this month when the first bill of 2007 arrives.

"This will address the problem of long queues outside bill collection centres. Our experience has shown that most consumers pay their bill only in the last few days which leads to heavy rush at the counters. So, bill payment becomes an uncomfortable time not only for the customer but for the overburdened staff as well," an officer explains.

By rolling out this facility, the consumer would have the choice of avoiding the bill collection counters. To the department, it would entail a quicker payment from the customer while reducing the cost and time involved in the bill preparation.

"Nearly a fortnight is lost between the meter reading time and the preparation of the computerised bill. Also, the cost of billing will be reduced because the man deployed for meter reading will also act as the bill delivery man. The whole idea of the move is to bring in greater efficiency in the dispatch and payment of bills," the officer adds.

The Secretary, Power, Haryana, Mr Ashok Lavasa, confirmed that the plan would be implemented from January.