Noida : Residents of Sector 51 are already struggling due to irregular and delayed electricity bill distribution. Adding to their woes, the Electricity Distribution Department has now issued a new directive stating that cheque payments will no longer be accepted making online payment mandatory for all consumers.
This decision has sparked strong opposition from residents and community bodies alike. Residents question whether every citizen is capable of making online payments. “Is every consumer digitally equipped? What about senior citizens who have always relied on cheque payments?” a key point of concern highlighted by the Resident Welfare Associations.
The DD RWA Federation has condemned the decision and raised a clear stance – No bill, no payment.
RWA representatives argue that if the department cannot provide electricity bills on time to every resident, it has no authority to demand payment or threaten disconnection.
Another major concern involves community facilities like:
- RWA offices
- Barat Ghar
- Security guard rooms
- Federation offices
Their electricity payments often require joint authorization from committee members such as the President, General Secretary and Treasurer. Online-only mandated payments will make such official transactions difficult and inconvenient.
Strong opposition from federation
The RWAs of Sector 51 and the DD RWA Federation have demanded immediate withdrawal of both decisions:
- Discontinuation of cheque-based payments
- Failure to ensure timely delivery of bills
They have appealed to the authorities to restore essential services keeping public interest in mind.
Residents cannot be forced into a fully digital system overnight without ensuring infrastructure and accessibility.
Sanjeev Kumar,General Secretary, Sector 51