The Hindu 05.04.2013
Metrowater to ramp up online services
The city’s water agency is gearing up to enhance its
online services to cater to the growing number of residents paying their
taxes and water charges online.
This month, Chennai
Metrowater is planning to implement a system under which customers of
any bank can remit their water, sewerage tax and charges through
internet banking.
It is currently in the process of appointing a payment gateway service provider.
At
present, account-holders of only one private bank are able to use the
internet banking facility. Measures are on to tie up with over 50 banks
to facilitate more customers to use online services. Residents can also
take printouts of previous payments made, which are available on
website.
Though online customers contribute to only a
small number of the total of 7.35 lakh consumers, including those in
added areas, there has been a steady rise in their number over the past
few years.
From 8,000 consumers who paid online in
2008-09, the number has increased to nearly 65,000 people now. The water
agency believes more consumers will use its online facility once the
website is made more consumer-friendly.
In the last
fiscal ending March 31, consumers remitted tax and charges to the tune
of Rs. 6.83 crore online. About 20,000 additional consumers have sought
online services compared to the previous fiscal — 2011-12, during which
the water agency received Rs. 4.24 crore through online payments.
Though
the project was devised two years ago, negotiations related to
transaction fees payable by online customers to their respective banks
had delayed the process. Some customers also complain of difficulties in
accessing the website to remit tax. Payments across Metrowater office
counters continue to be many customers’ preferred choice.
Metrowater officials however said that once the service is improved, such problems will be resolved.
This
fiscal ending March 31, Metrowater received water, sewerage tax and
charges totalling Rs. 352.74 crore of the total demand of Rs. 425 crore.
Residents in added areas paid up to Rs. 10 crore. However, customers in
the merged areas pay only water charges as the Chennai Corporation has
not started an exercise for property tax assessment as yet.
Officials
said it is imperative for the water agency to increase its revenue, as
it has been facing a financial crunch for the past few years.