Electricity Board bill alerts through SMS
As on date, 95 lakh consumers register their mobile numbers to avail the facility.
Chennai: Tamil Nadu Generation and Distribution Corporation (Tangedco) is all set to launch SMS alert facility to enable power consumers to keep track of their bi-monthly electricity bills.
The power utility has tied up with a service provider for the SMS facility, which is ready to be launched. “We have sought the appointment of chief minister Jayalalithaa to launch SMS alert system,” said sources in the electricity department.
As per the proposal, two SMSes will be sent to consumers. The consumer will receive first SMS, as soon as the assessor enters the consumer’s meter reading in the computer. The SMS will show consumer’s service connection number, consumption charges and due date.
The second SMS will be sent three days prior to the last date for bill payment to alert those consumers who have not paid their bills to avoid disconnection.
As on date, 95 lakh consumers have registered their mobile numbers to avail the facility.
The state’s total domestic consumer base stands at 2.20 crore. The consumers can avail of the facility by registering their mobile numbers in their local section offices.
If the consumer fail to pay the amount within due date, his or her service connection is liable for disconnection.
However if not disconnected, the consumer have to pay belated surcharges. In case if the service is disconnected, the consumers have to pay a reconnection charge of Rs 60, said a senior official.
“The SMS system is being introduced basically to help consumer who unknowingly default on bill payment and face disconnection. The consumers can also avoid payment of belated surcharge and reconnection charges,” a Tangedco official said.