Panaji, Jan 18 (TOI): It what will come as some relief for consumers, from January 26 the electricity department’s bill payment counters will also remain open in the afternoon from 2pm to 4.30pm, on all working days. Presently, these are open till 12.30pm, many a times inconveniencing consumers who, if they fail to make payments, are compelled to visit the division the next day.

Power minister Nilesh Cabral said an announcement in this regard will be made on January 26. This is one of the new initiatives of the power minister, who has started taking steps to improve the overall functioning of the department.

The electricity department has 40 counters spread across its various divisions.

Consumers will be able to make payments through either debit or credit cards, a facility that is presently not offered. Cash and cheque payments will also be accepted. For cash, the allowed bill amount is up to Rs 500.

“People will able to make card payments,” Cabral said. With the new arrangement, the division’s cashier will have to also ensure that payments received in the afternoon are deposited. While the electricity department receives online payments, a large number of people follow the old system of making payments. The power department will also tie up with TJSB Ltd, a cooperative bank to facilitate payment of electricity bills at any of the cooperative bank’s branch in the state. Presently, only a select few cooperative banks accept payments of electricity bills.

The new initiative will be announced at a city function on January 26. “Consumers will able to pay their bill even at the smallest cooperative bank close to their house,” Cabral said. The new arrangement is also expected to relieve the electricity department of the problem they face at times of arrears showing in bills of consumers who paid their bill at cooperative banks.