Bhubaneswar: The state Energy department is all set to launch prepaid electricity service to make the billing system less time consuming and tackle huge dues on consumers.
The department has launched the prepaid service on a pilot basis under Western Electricity Supply Company of Odisha (Wesco) in Sambalpur.
It is learnt that 4,500 prepaid meters have been installed at government offices in Sambalpur. At present, the state government is spending around Rs 200 per meter to calibrate them for prepaid service. “The cost would go down after the consumer base increases under the new system. The prepaid electricity service is being implemented through the Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) of the Centre,” said Energy department secretary Hemant Sharma.
According to Sharma, the government would extend the prepaid electricity service across the state after analysing the outcome of the pilot project. “The discoms will provide 1 per cent discount to people who opt for the prepaid service. The new service will make the billing system less time consuming and hassle-free,” Sharma added.
As per the new system, a consumer has to install a display device near the meter which will show the units of electricity consumption and the balance money. A consumer’s unspent money in any particular month would be transferred to his account for the next month.
“Consumers will have to purchase prepaid electricity cards from authorised vendors. Connection to the consumers would be disconnected automatically when the balance is exhausted. Consumers can get electricity soon after recharging their accounts,” said an official of Energy department.
Notably, the state government has introduced online and offline payment of electricity bills in areas where Wesco, North Eastern Electricity Supply Company of Odisha Limited (Nesco) and Southern Electricity Supply Company of Odisha Limited (Southco) are distributing power. However, the online and offline facilities are yet to be implemented in areas coming under the jurisdiction of Central Electricity Supply Utility of Odisha (Cesu).
Now, the Energy department is providing one per cent rebate to people who pay their electricity bills online.
At present, the state has altogether 73 lakh electricity consumers, including 50 lakh from the below poverty line (BPL) category.
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