MANSI BHAMBRI/Dehradun
Many local residents have raised concerns about the QR scanner printed on Uttarakhand Jal Sansthan (UJS) water bills. They alleged that due to poor paper quality and faded printing, the scanner does not work properly, preventing them from making online payments directly.
Residents claimed that the initiative seems to exist only “on paper” and does not actually help consumers make easy payments. They have urged the authorities to address the issue and take corrective action.
UJS secretary (Appraisal) Maneesh Semwal stated that the department is considering discontinuing the QR scanner on water bills, as it could pose risks.
The UJS provides physical water bills to customers. Few months back, they introduced a new initiative by including a QR scanner on the water bill, allowing customers to scan it for direct payment. However, due to the poor print quality, this initiative has failed, raising questions about the service provided by UJS.
Local resident Sapna has noticed the QR scanner on the UJS water bills. She mentioned that she has attempted to scan it multiple times to make a direct payment, but has failed each time due to the poor print quality preventing a successful scan. She questioned whether UJS introduced this initiative for actual use or merely for appearances.
Another resident speaking on the condition of anonymity echoed this sentiment, urging UJS to take action on the matter. He said she has also tried to scan the QR code for payment but has encountered repeated failures. He emphasised that if such initiatives are launched, they should be carefully planned to genuinely benefit consumers.
Many other residents have expressed similar concerns and have urged the authorities to address this issue. In response, UJS secretary (Appraisal) acknowledged that this initiative was launched five to six months ago with the goal of providing customers with additional facilities for easier payment of their water bills. However, he recognised that due to the print quality problem, the initiative is not functioning effectively, as the scanner often fails to work. He also said that there could be risks if anyone else placed their stamp over the scanner on the water bills. Considering these problems, the department is thinking about stopping the initiative and removing the scanner from the water bills.
He further added that aside from physical water bills, they also send text messages (SMS) from which customers can directly make payments. He noted that as everything becomes digitised, they are planning to eventually eliminate physical water bills and opt for digitalisation for this purpose, allowing customers to make payments more conveniently.
