The Electricity Department’s rate of rebate for early payment of bills and penalty for delayed payment beyond the due date is devoid of any sense of logic. The discount on bill amounts for prompt payment within 7 days is a parsimonious 0.25% while the penalty for delayed payment is an usurious 2%. This means that if the monthly bill is Rs.500, the rebate for early payment is a “princely” sum of Rs. 1.25 while the penalty for delayed payment of the same amount is an extortionate Rs.10.
Evidently, the Department does not believe in the sagacity of the wise old adage “What is sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander” .Hence, it would have been prudent if the rates of both rebates and penalty were uniformly pegged at 2%.
Considering the Government’s moves for a “Digital India” to promote cashless transactions, it would have also been desirable if a further incentive of 1% is given for consumers, who opt for on-line payments. Obviously, this would be an ideal win‑win situation for both the Electricity Department and the Consumer. Perhaps, the other service providers like the Water Supply Division of PWD, BSNL, etc. could also follow suit and come up with innovative incentives for early payment.
Are the service providers listening or will be turning a Nelson’s eye in this matter?
