The Hindu 17.08.2009

TNEB proposes 20 Any Time Payment machines for city

R. Srikanth

— Photo: K.V.SRINIVASAN

MORE TO COME: An Any Time Payment kiosk on Wallajah Road.

CHENNAI: The Tamil Nadu Electricity Board (TNEB) has proposed to make available 20 Any Time Payment (ATP) machines in the city soon to ease the process of payment of electricity bills for consumers.

A TNEB official said a tender calling for the machines would be floated very soon. The initiative follows the response for the existing four ATP machines at the TNEB headquarters on Anna Salai and the kiosks in T. Nagar, Wallajah Road in Triplicane and Sowcarpet.

The official pointed out that when they proposed to instal additional ATP machines in the city, a public sector bank had initially come forward to instal them, provided there was a requirement for a minimum of 50 machines.

But since the board was not keen on purchasing many machines, it decided to opt for an open tendering wherein anyone could participate. There was also a proposal to link the power bill collection system with the ATP machines of Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL), but it did not take off, he added.

To further decongest the collection counters, the TNEB had launched a new system of assessment and collection of power bills for low-tension (LT) consumers throughout the month on a trial basis on Anna Salai.

Under the new system, the assessment and collection of the bills will be carried out throughout the month though there is no change in the bi-monthly billing cycle.

The consumers will have 20 days to pay their bills from the date of assessment.

At the ATP kiosks, payment could be made either in cash, cheque or demand draft round the clock.