BENGALURU: In a major relief for Bescom consumers looking to get a name change done for the electricity connection, they won’t have to run between offices. The power utility has come up with a digital solution to the problem of submission of documents, going around offices, waiting for officers and the online system has even got good response.
To get a name change for the electricity connection, earlier documents had to be prepared and the consumer had to visit the Bescom office. The submission process of necessary documents including sale deed, property tax receipt, NoC was becoming headache for customers. Now, a digital alternative has been provided and customers can apply for name change itself through Bescom’s Web Self Service (WSS) portal. Not only application submission, arrangement has been made to complete further processes also online itself. Due to this, the need for consumers to visit the office will be mostly reduced.
Under the new system, the prescribed fee has to be paid for name change — Rs 100 for application submission and Rs 1,194 for e-stamping and e-sign process. After submission of application, the digital process gets completed. As soon as digital signature is completed, customers can download a confirmation letter. That means, there will not be need to go to office again and again to know whether process is completed. The objective of this system is to reduce delay along with simplifying service and provide quick service to customers.
This digital service introduced by Bescom has already got significant response. In the experimental stage itself, name change of more than 40,000 electricity connections has been completed and more than 2,000 applications are being disposed per week. At present, this facility is available to customers of urban areas of eight districts under Bescom jurisdiction.
“We have simplified the process for name change of electricity connections by making it completely online. Earlier, if a person purchases a property, he had to submit all the required documents physically at our office. When the khata is changed at the GBA offices, the property owner gets a message on his mobile phone reminding him to get the electricity connection changed. This is possible because GBA and Bescom data are integrated. The consumer has to follow the instructions provided in the link and complete the document submission process”, Bescom managing director Dr N Shivashankar told Public TV.
With the help of technology, Bescom has planned to attempt to reduce human intervention and deliver electricity services to people’s doorstep. The power utility needs to ensure that this service is available continuously for the public without any technical problems.
“Once the online process is completed, the change of name can be completed in 15-20 minutes which would earlier take one or two weeks. So far, about 40,000 consumers have benefitted from the new online process and we encourage more consumer to avail the service”, the MD added.
