People will recall that Goa’s Chief Minister had boasted that Goa Government would go digital from October 2017 and would stop accepting cash for their transactions. Until recently and perhaps even now, large amounts of registration fees at Registrar’s Office and other fees at some offices had to be paid in cash. Similarly, no banks accept cheques or card payments towards power consumption bills, despite the recent bravado that such payments could be made at many offices and banks. True that TJS Bank is accepting payments but only by cash. NKW Bank that would accept cheque payments for Margao area, not even Fatorda bills, has ceased accepting them. Electricity Department in Margao accepts cheques but not cards. A few banks accept only their own cheques. The central government has been emphasizing on digital payments and insisting that cash payments be avoided. Is this implementable in a country like ours, where accessibility to internet, etc is difficult or is it simply boasting?
When I asked the Power Minister, if common man was expected to be computer savvy, have computer and internet to do on line payment as recommended by him, he replied that common man does not use cheques and could pay by card. But where, Mr Minister when even your Margao office does not accept cards? To my mind, payment by card or cheque should be available not only at Electricity Department offices at all places, where they exist, but also at least at some banks in towns and villages.
While I cannot credit the Minister with easing the bill payment, surely I can with considerable improvement in power situation, at least in Borda, Margao. Power cuts had become very frequent and for long periods, which is not the case now. Hope situation will only improve and not worsen during summer.
