PSEB on-the-spot billing facility fails to attract
Nidhi Singhi, TNN 4 September 2009

LUDHIANA: The on-the-spot billing facility launched by the Punjab State Electricity Board (PSEB) seems to have failed to bring the desired results
as the billing procedure is being carried out by a private company and residents hardly have faith in them.

Officials feel that it will take some more time for residents to trust PSEB representatives because the concept is somewhat new for them. According to information, PSEB has started spot billing in 16 divisions, including west Patiala, suburban Patiala, Ropar, Mansa and west Jalandhar. The areas in Ludhiana include Model Town, Janta Nagar, west Ludhiana, Estate Division and Agar Nagar. Other stations are Malout, Mohali, East Division Amritsar, Nakodar city, Nawashahar and Model Town in Jalandhar.

Sources said to benefit consumers, PSEB had also extended the facility to 40 divisions and it would be carried out by PSEB employees in 20 divisions, while it would be done through outsourcing in the remaining 20 divisions.

After completion of work in 40 divisions, work will be taken up to cover all 104 divisions in the scheme. PSEB officials said it was easy for consumers to make payments through the facility as it served many purposes, including doorstep meter reading, preparation of bills, delivery of bills and collection of payments.

Meanwhile, residents seem to be a bit wary of officials of the private firm. Local resident Rajinder Kaur said, "We cannot trust strangers as anybody can come and claim that he has come from PSEB to collect bills."

"Nowadays it is not difficult to produce fake identity cards, so it is better to pay bills at PSEB offices," she added. Meanwhile, talking to the TOI, JS Bedi deputy chief engineer (headquarters) said, "We started the service in some divisions but have not got much response."

He said people received bills but when it came to making payments, they preferred