Dr Asangba Tzudir
The Nagaland Department of Power has announced a transition to an electronic billing system. It is said that this initiative is part of the department’s efforts to promote energy conservation, support the digital India initiative and contribute to environmental sustainability. In tune with digital revolution, consumers will not be receiving their electricity bills printed in hard copies but via their mobile number or email, and for which the department is now updating the necessary consumer credentials. This will go a long way in saving paper and various other resources including time and electricity.
However, for smooth operation of this E-billing system, consumers should immediately update their phone numbers or email or house number with the office if there is any change so that the e-bill reaches the concerned consumer in time. As the saying goes, “Help us to help you serve better”, it calls for responsibility of the consumers to have their e-bills on time and to make the payment thereof. After all, the current status of electricity generation in the state, and more so the sources from where electricity is bought calls upon the responsibility and as a moral duty of the consumers to pay electricity on time.
Without delving into the statistics, while there are many who pay their electricity bills on time, yet there are many defaulters leading to huge revenue loss. A consumer should understand that it is a moral duty to pay the bills on time. Though there are also numerous reasons one of which is very high monthly bills often caused by faulty meters. The department should also ensure that the e-bills are generated based on each household meter reading showing the actual energy consumed. However, if sometimes the department does not come to collect the current meter reading, the consumer should also sent the meter reading or a screenshot showing the meter reading via email, and accordingly the right e-bill can be generated.
The shift from print bills to e-bills comes with a lot of advantages in consideration of resources depletion and other pressing environmental concerns, and a lot depends on the consumers for the smooth functioning of the e-billing system which calls for cooperation and response in a responsible manner. However, a lot also depends on the effective delivery of the e-bills to the consumers considering the system’s limit and most importantly, the need to make current bills based on the current meter reading.
At the end, it is a crime not to pay electricity bills and consumers should not only know about it but also understand the consequences of non-payment of electricity bills. As such, the power department of Nagaland can enforce stricter measures not just on paper but in practice to serve as deterrence for the defaulting consumers.
(Dr Asangba Tzudir writes guest editorials for the Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
