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Chief Secretary Pankaj Kumar (2nd left) and other government officials during the launching programme of Point of Sale for electricity bill payment at the office of Kohima Electrical Sub-division-1 on November 16. (EM Images)[/caption]
Kohima Bureau
Kohima, Nov. 16 (EMN): The power department of Nagaland on Thursday launched a Point of Sale for electricity bill payment at Kohima, becoming the first in the Northeast to do so.
The POS facility was formally launched by the Chief Secretary of Nagaland, Pankaj Kumar at the office of Kohima Electrical Sub-division-1, in the presence of Commissioner and Secretary of Power Department, KD Vizo among others. With the new facility, a consumer now can make cashless payment of the electricity bills, it was informed.
The chief secretary, in his address, lauded the power department officials and staff for making a serious effort during the last few years to improve its system.
“The POS is a win-win situation as it will be advantageous for both the consumers and department. It will also help consumers make cashless payments and ensure cash accountability for the department,” Kumar said adding “This is just one step of what we have been trying to do.”
Disclosing that the department has been losing around Rs. 150 cr. annually due to non-payment of bills by consumers, Kumar also urged the power department’s officials and staff to improve their billing and collection efficiency.
“We are losing more than we are collecting. So the department and consumers have to come together to solve this issue. We all have to do our bit, because once collection improves, the government will cut down the present tariff,” the chief secretary said while mentioning on the high electricity charges.
To this, the chief secretary also urged all the consumers to pay their power bills in time in order to smoothen the functioning of the department. “Lack of adequate support to the power department has hindered its efficiency and further for its healthy functioning,” Kumar said.
Commissioner and Secretary of Power department, KD Vizo expressed hope that the new facility will give convenience to the customers as they can now make cashless payment for their electricity bills. Vizo also added that the initiative is in line with the country’s digitisation drive.
Chief Engineer of Power department, Khose Sale said that POS services will be extended to other major cities and districts of the state.