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Kochi: KSEB has been planning to provide customers with an option to pay electricity bill using their ATM cards at their doorstep. For this meter reading agents will be given with spot billing devices.
The pilot of the project will happen in Thiruvananthapuram district for a period of six months.
The initiative has been supported by Yes Bank. If the customer pays the bill using device, then the money will reach KSEB’s account through Yes Bank.
Initially, 200 spot billing devices will be purchased for rent at Rs 90 a piece.
KSEB has assured that meter reading agents will not be replaced for the initiative. However, employee unions are concerned how the impact will be on the long run. One of the pertinent questions raised by the unions is why the initiative is needed as procedures for switching to smart meter is progressing. It may be specifically noted that once smart meter system is operational, then meter reading can be done at KSEB office itself. Customers will be able to pay electricity bills from anywhere like mobile recharging.
The regulatory commission has asked the Board to reduce the number of employees in KSEB.
Earlier, two cash counters in selected branches of KSEB were functioning depending on the number of consumers. Later it was reduced to one cash counter with shift system. With the upcoming changes, these counters will be converted to single shift and gradually the cashier post will become redundant. The employee unions are concerned over this.
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