NOW, PAY BILLS THROUGH MOBILE

The ubiquitous cellphone is getting more useful than just making calls and sending messages. Denizens of the city can now pay their water and electricity bills through their cellphones. To make this happen, commissioner EDS (eSeva), Hyderabad, is preparing a special software in collaboration with the city-based Spanco Limited, to launch M-commerce service.

Arrangements are on to launch the M-commerce service from Sankranti by chief minister K Rosaiah. Initially , we will provide the facility to pay water and electricity bills through cellphones, deputy director (urban eSeva) K Yedukondalu told TOI. At present, customers pay their bills by visiting any of the 52 eSeva centres between 8 am and 8 pm. With the new service, customers can pay their bills round the clock and save time and money, he said.

Interestingly, this facility is also the first in the country. A test drive is on regarding the number customers can ring and pay their bills. We are allotting a mobile personal identification number (M-PIN ) to each customer. For this, customers have to register their names by submitting an application that is available at eSeva centres. They have to give their cellphone numbers and an ID proof with a passport size photo. Registration is mandatory, the official added.

Once a customer gets registered, a menudriven application and ID password will be sent to his cellphone and then on the customer can operate on his own and pay the bills. The whole process will be completed in 10 seconds , Yedukondalu said. A minimum amount between Rs 3 and Rs 6 will be charged from each customer for utilising the service. Further, there is no restriction on using a particular cellphone company , the deputy director said.
(SOURCE ;TOI)