TNEB in action for introduction of facility to know the charges for electricity by SMS
Posted on: 10/May/2014 2:31:21 PM
Electricity consumers have shown great interest in the electronic services from TNEB to know about the payment for consumption and other related information.
So far, more than a million people have registered their cell phone numbers with the EB authorities. As a response, TNEB is very keen to provide these services and working towards this.
Until the last few years, the date of payment for electricity remained the same throughout Tamil Nadu. However, the date of payment is different for different consumers now-a-days.
Currently, the system followed involves the EB employee visiting the consumer location, taking the meter reading, and then computing the charges. The bill had to be paid within a few specified dates. If the consumer forgets it by chance, there is the risk of the power supply being disconnected.
In order to avoid these problems, TNEB authorities planned to introduce facilities for ‘on-line’ payment and sending SMS to the customers’ cell phones about delayed payment, charges, etc. The public did not evince any interest as clear details were not known.
A register was kept in all TNEB offices for the visitors to register their consumer number, names, and the cell phone numbers. This step has received great response from the consumers. Lakhs of consumers have registered these details in a short time.
The details of registration
- South Chennai – 7.57 Lakhs out of 13.73 Lakhs consumers
- Chingleput – 5.56 Lakhs out of 5.129 Lakhs
- Kanchipuram – 3 lakhs out of 4 Lakhs
- Chennai North, Chennai Central, and Thiruvallur – 16.22 Lakhs
Special software has been created for this purpose. Entry of data is progressing fast. There are 2.34 Crores of consumers in Tamil Nadu. Out of this, 1Crore consumers have registered their data till April. Another 10 Lakhs have registered in the first 10 days of May.
Consumers’ power consumption meter reading is recorded by EB employee on a hand-held device. This data is then entered in the computer by automatic link. SMS will be sent to the concerned consumer about the charges to the respective consumer.
The dates for introduction of this facility will be announced after the counting votes. This facility will be introduced simultaneously in the entire Tamil Nadu.
The official expects the introduction of this facility to reduce unnecessary problems for the consumer while increasing the revenue for the Electricity Board.
