By Our Reporter
SHILLONG: Power Minister AT Mondal has informed that the government has initiated various facilities to streamline the payment of electricity bills in the State especially in the capital city.
Responding to a question raised by Independent legislator Manas Chaudhuri during Question Hour in the Assembly on Thursday, Mondal said that e-billing system would be introduced in Shillong region in the near future.
He also informed that the number of cash counters at the BC House in the city has been increased from 10 to 12 and special preference was being accorded to senior citizens to pay their power bills.
The Power Minister further informed that consumers could also opt to pay their bills through local cheques.
Drop boxes have been put up at the BC House, he informed, while adding that consumers could also drop their cheques at the Axis bank ATM counters located at Khyndai Lad, Polo Towers, Laban, 101 Area, Happy Valley, Laitumkhrah, Lummawrie and Mawlai Iewrynghep.
“Efforts are also being made to open cash collection counters at the Nongthymmai and Polo offices,” Mondal said.
While appreciating the steps, Chaudhuri sought to know whether these initiatives have been well publicized for the information of the public. Participating in the discussion, Nongkrem legislator Ardent B Basaiawmoit raised concern over the irregular disbursement of power bills in the rural areas.
“Electricity bills are disbursed once every four months in rural areas making it very difficult for the people to pay their bills all at once,” Basaiawmoit stated.
He urged the department to ensure that bills are forwarded to the consumers every month.
The Power Minister, on his part, assured that necessary steps would be taken in this regard.