The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : eSeva set to go door-to-door

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Friday, Jul 23, 2004

Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

eSeva set to go door-to-door

By Vikram Sharma

HYDERABAD, JULY 22. Sitting at home and paying all your utility bills instead of standing in long queues at the eSeva centre or public utility offices is set to become a reality in a couple of months with officials of the eSeva planning to introduce a door-to-door bill payment facility.

The innovative concept, being worked out with the help of private agencies will enable citizens of the twin cities to pay their bills at their doorstep. What more, the facility comes at a mere five rupees extra!

The facility is being launched initially in the twin cities and is likely to be extended to the other parts of the State. The eSeva, with the support of private agencies, is also likely to strike a deal with cable operators of various colonies, as they are well-versed with all the areas.

Deal on the anvil

"This new facility will be launched in the next two to three months and talks are going on. The citizens have to pay Rs 5 as charges for the facility," eSeva Director, R.P. Sisodia, told The Hindu.

Explaining the concept, Mr. Sisodia said that a person would be given a designated area or colony, who would approach the residents at a given time. The person would be carrying a wireless handheld device, which would have access to the database centre. Another instrument to turn out receipts for the payments on the spot would also be part of the eSeva personnel's kit.

"The device will be that of the size of a palmtop computer which will have access to the database. The people need not waste their fuel in travelling distances to pay their bills," Mr.Sisodia said. The movement of the person will also be monitored to ensure that the entire area assigned is covered properly.

Through Internet

Further, to make it convenient for the public, the eSeva would also launch the facility of paying the bills with credit card through Internet. Within a month or so, this service would be available, Mr. Sisodia said. The people can walk into any cyber cafe and pay their bills, or, better for those who have a computer at home.

He said that already the facility of paying through Debit cards on Internet was started about six months ago. "Already the American Express has come forward for the service. But we want to make the facility available for the common man, who might have credit cards of other banks. Talks are going on with other banks," the eSeva Director said, adding that the American Express credit cards would be accepted in a month's time.

Printer friendly page
Send this article to Friends by E-Mail

Andhra Pradesh

News Update

Stories in this Section

Toppers skip counselling for Engineering courses

eSeva set to go door-to-door

`Ramakrishna still most wanted criminal'

ECE first choice for many

Parking takes a back seat

Cheque deposit machines by BSNL