PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) has temporarily removed the QR code from water bills, which was installed to facilitate easier payment options for consumers. This decision was made in response to concerns from residents regarding the scanner’s failure to function properly due to poor paper quality and faded printing.
UJS provides physical water bills to its customers and had recently introduced a QR code on these bills to allow for direct payments via scanning. However, the initiative proved ineffective because of the poor print quality, leading to questions about the service provided by UJS. This issue was earlier highlighted by The Pioneer, with many residents stating that the QR initiative seemed to exist only “on paper” and did not actually assist consumers in making payments easily. They urged the authorities to address the problem and take corrective action.
UJS secretary (Appraisal) Maneesh Semwal confirmed that the scanner has been temporarily removed, as it was not serving its intended purpose. Semwal acknowledged that the print quality issues rendered the QR code ineffective, often causing it to malfunction. He also expressed concerns that someone might improperly place their stamp over the scanner on the bills. He said that the scanner has been temporarily removed, not permanently. With this, they will now work to ensure that the scanner can be effectively installed on these bills again and benefit the consumers.
It will be recalled that Semwal previously informed that the UJS also sends text messages (SMS) to customers, allowing them to make direct payments through that method.
UJS directs executive engineers to shift billing to integrated software
DEHRADUN: Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) has recently directed all its executive engineers to conduct billing and collection work solely through the integrated billing software developed by ITDA. In a letter issued by UJS secretary (Appraisal) Maneesh Semwal, he stated that the ITDA has created integrated billing software (uttarajal.uk.gov.in) for the drinking water department. Although the executive engineers’ branch entered consumer data into this software in January 2026, billing has not yet commenced. The software is currently in use for consumers at branches in Karnprayag, Chamoli, Tehri, Haridwar and peri-urban areas, he stated. Further, he directed them that all billing and collection work for the consumers in your branch must be conducted exclusively through the integrated billing software (uttarajal.uk.gov.in) provided by ITDA for the drinking water department.
Notably, ITDA has worked for several months on this unified software solution to enhance services and has recently developed it. This software will meet the public needs of both Peyjal Nigam and UJS.
