Telangana Electricity Bill Payments Restricted to Official TGSPDCL Website and App
In a recent move set to impact the convenience of paying electricity bills in Telangana, the power utilities TGSPDCL and TGNPDCL have mandated that all payments be made exclusively through their official website or mobile app, effective from July 1. This decision, directed by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI), halts the use of popular payment gateways such as PhonePe, Paytm, Amazon Pay, and Google Pay for electricity bill payments.
Impact on Payment Gateway Users
According to TGSPDCL authorities, the cessation of third-party payment gateways aims to enhance security and streamline payment processes. Urban consumers, who predominantly relied on these platforms, will now need to adjust to the new system. This directive is part of a nationwide move affecting power utilities across India.
Consumer Reactions and Suggestions
The decision has sparked varied reactions from consumers, especially on social media. Some labeled the change as inconvenient, while others highlighted the unavailability of a dedicated app for iPhone users. Suggestions from the public included making bill payments compliant with the Bharat Bill Payment System (BBPS) to ease the transition.
Official Clarification from TGSPDCL
Chairman and Managing Director of TGSPDCL, Md. Musharraf Faruqui, clarified that the new payment system aims to avoid third-party unified payment interfaces (UPIs). Consumers can still use UPIs, but only through the bill payment interface on the TGSPDCL website or app. Faruqui assured that the TGSPDCL app is available on the iStore for iPhone users, providing them with an alternative method to pay their bills.
Alternatives for Paying Electricity Bills
Consumers can pay their power bills through the TGSPDCL website, the corporation’s mobile app, and collection centers. This decision was announced via TGSPDCL’s official ‘X’ handle, emphasizing the available alternatives for bill payments.
Temporary Nature of the Situation
TGSPDCL officials indicated that this restriction might be temporary. Currently, over 85% of energy bill payments in the SPDCL jurisdiction are made through third-party application providers (TPAPs). The inability to use UPI-based apps for bill payments will persist until these apps register and become active on the BBPS platform, as mandated by the RBI.
Efforts to Resolve the Issue
Efforts are underway to resolve this issue swiftly. TGSPDCL officials have urged UPI app managements to expedite the process to minimize consumer inconvenience. They emphasized that the TGSPDCL website and mobile app are user-friendly, with over a crore users, and are confident that consumers will adapt without major issues.
RBI’s BBPS Compliance Deadline
From July 1, the RBI has mandated that all credit card bill payments through third-party apps be routed via the BBPS. While some apps like CRED and PhonePe are BBPS members, major credit card issuers like HDFC, ICICI, and Axis Bank are not yet live on the BBPS platform for credit card bill payments.
Banks Ready for BBPS
For consumers with credit cards from SBI, Bank of Baroda, Kotak Mahindra Bank, IndusInd Bank, Federal Bank, Canara Bank, RBL Bank, and AU Small Finance Bank, there’s no need for concern. These banks are active on the BBPS platform, allowing uninterrupted payments through third-party apps.
PCI’s Request to RBI
The Payments Council of India (PCI) has requested the RBI to extend the BBPS compliance deadline by 90 days to avoid service disruptions. This extension would provide additional time for all involved parties to comply with the new regulations.
In conclusion, while the transition to using TGSPDCL’s official platforms for electricity bill payments may pose initial challenges, the move aims to enhance payment security and efficiency. Consumers are encouraged to adapt to the new system and utilize the available resources provided by TGSPDCL.
