Thrissur corp to introduce e-payment of power bills

THRISSUR: Consumers in Thrissur corporation limits can pay the electricity bills via online soon as the electricity wing of vorporation is getting ready to implement e – payment facility. Nearly 36,000 consumers will get the benefit of new facility.
Senior superintendent C J Jomon, electricity wing said, "We have submitted a proposal to Thrissur corporation for a facility to pay the electricity bills online.It will help consumers to pay bills without approaching electricity offices".
As part of implementing the facility, electricity wing will launch a website to help people register their consumer number. They can avail themselves of net banking, credit cards or debit cards facilities to pay the power bills.
Consumers can view the pending electricity bills, the unit of power consumption in the last one year, details of payment and its history.
Consumers will receive SMS alert on bill amount, due date of payment and disconnection date.
Vinu Krishnan, system administrator, electricity wing said, "Before introducing the new facility, we will have to computerise our office and to convert existing Oracle 8i software to Oracle 11G. We are on the process of modernising all sections and converting the software to Oracle 11G. The new facility will bring down the rush of consumers, who come to electricity office to pay bills. We would also introduce token system for payment of electricity bills as many are unable to use new facility".
Sanoj, a dentist in Thrissur said, "it will benefit those who are busy with their jobs. But, whether it would reach out to the lower class is yet to be seen". The e – payment facility, which is introduced at a cost of Rs 60lakh, will be implemented in this financial year itself. The authorities are holding meetings with the HDFC and IDBI bank officials.
Corporation council will consider the proposal in the next council meeting. The Kerala State Electricity Board had introduced this facility for High Tension (HT) consumers, who used above 150kw of power. Nearly 3,000 consumers are using e – payment facility to pay electricity bill in the state. "But, we have only 60 HT consumers in the corporation limits," said Vinu Krishnan.
As part of implementing the facility, electricity wing will launch a website to help people register their consumer number, according to sources.