The SMS facility was launched in January and this enables citizens to pay their property and water tax through cellphones, by sending an SMS with the bill number to the BMC. Only three citizens: two in Narali-Agripada in Bandra (Rs100 each) and another BMC lessee in C-ward (Rs 7,500) made the payment of their property tax via SMS. Officials said the second payment was made as an advance payment. “So technically, there are only two payments against the actual P-tax bill,” a senior official said.
Meanwhile, the tax collection by the end of 2008-’09 stood at Rs.2,230.10 crore, which has seen a rise of 11.78 per cent from last year.
Officials said this confirms that citizens prefer to stand in queues and make the payment by cash. The BMC had launched its cybercafe facilities seven months ago, wherein citizens could access a range of services. There are 250 ‘Sify i-way’ cybercafes in 24 wards, but they also evoked a dismal response.
The BMC was ranked 32nd in its e-governance initiative last year and had received the lowest rating in citizens’ participation. As per a study carried out by the civic administration, around 80 per cent of Mumbaikars use mobile phones while those having access to internet is a mere 11 per cent.
Officials had said that since not all citizens have internet facilities or are familiar with its usage, an interface that will allow mobile penetration for payment of civic bills will be widely used. The BMC had tied up with State Bank of India for the initiative and an ITZ card — a pre-paid cash card — allowed citizens for payment of bills.
“We don’t know why there has been such a low response. It may be because there is not enough awareness,” a senior official said.
Officials also said many do not want to take risks in payment of bills.
Moreover, under the SMS service, the civic body charges citizens Rs10 or more for the bill to be couriered to their residences.
HOW IT'S DONE
- Enter the 16-digit number of the ITZ card and send an SMS to 57575 along with the property tax or water bill number (SAC or CN number)
- On the SMS reaching the BMC IT control room at Worli, the user will get an SMS showing the pending amount.
- Send a second SMS with the 16-digit number of the ITZ card and the amount for which payment has to be made
- The user will get a second SMS, confirming the payment
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Autor(en)/Author(s): Shweta Desai
Quelle/Source: Expressindia, 06.04.2009
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