Ranchi, March 10: Haven’t received power bill for a month? Forget the fine and clear dues on your doorstep.

The Jharkhand State Electricity Board (JSEB) today launched its much-touted spot-billing facility on experimental basis at two residential colonies of the capital.

The test drive in Harmu and Ashok Nagar is expected to cover 40,000 consumers in the first phase. “The system was introduced in Jamshedpur a month ago. We hope to cover the whole of Ranchi within 30 days,” A.K. Singh, JSEB member (finance) told The Telegraph.

Under the spot-billing system, meter officials armed with hand-held devices, linked to a central database, will visit a consumer’s premises. The device will analyse the meter reading and generate an instant bill. The consumer can hand over a cheque to the visiting official who will issue a receipt for the same.

In short, consumers will no longer be required to queue up at banks, post offices or JSEB collection centres to deposit their bills.

Singh said those who had not received bills for the last month will get the same on their doorsteps within a week. “There has been a temporary lapse. The agency that was so far responsible for taking down meter readings, printing bills and distributing them has been replaced. Last month’s bills are being printed and will be delivered in a week. No late fine will be charged if bills are paid by March 31,” he said.

“We are aware of the losses in case bills are not delivered to consumers. Hence, all steps are being taken to ensure the same,” Singh added.

This facility comes close on the heels of Any Time Payment (ATP) machines installed at eight locations in Ranchi. The ATPs enable a consumer to pay the bill either in cash or cheque any day between 8am and 8pm. The JSEB has deputed an operator at each ATP.

The machines are operational at Sainik Bazar, the Assembly premises, HEC Sector II and at JSEB-sub stations at Raj Bhavan, Harmu, Pandra, Kokar, Ratu and Itki.