THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: This June, trials by the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) ahead of introducing ‘anywhere bill payment facility’ will be kicked off in the Vellayambalam electrical section. Trials were started at the Puthenchantha section in February. The state-run power utility is planning to introduce the anywhere payment facility first in Thiruvananthapuram district before extending it to other parts of the state. A specially-designed software which will enable the facility is being tried out at the Vellayambalam and Puthenchantha sections, according to the IT wing of the KSEB. The ‘anywhere payment facility’ forms part of various ambitious IT initiatives on the KSEB’s anvil. Now, consumers pay their bills at specified electrical sections which cover their residential area, but once the ‘anywhere’ mechanism is put in place, they can do so at any of the KSEB section offices. ‘’We will be using ‘OrumaNet’ a newer version of ‘Oruma’ developed by KSEB staff for launching anywhere payment,’’ IT wing head Angus Sudley Cardoza said. The trials at Vellayambalam and Puthenchantha are meant to ensure that the system is fool-proof and adequate for the requirements of the KSEB and the consumers. Originally, the KSEB had planned to launch anywhere payment under the Restructured-Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) funded by the Centre. But the scheme was delayed, and the KSEB had decided to strike out on its own. With more and more consumer services going online, the KSEB is also on the lookout for e-savvy personnel. Earlier this month, the KSEB had invited an ‘expression of interest’ from its own staffers who were IT-qualified as part of strengthening the IT backbone of the power utility.
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