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After NewsFirst’s detailed report on irregularities and digital lapses in the Energy Department, BESCOM has announced that it will introduce UPI, NEFT, and online transfer facilities within the next two weeks.
In a major NewsFirst impact, BESCOM has announced that it will introduce UPI, NEFT, and online transfer facilities within the next two weeks. This comes after NewsFirst’s detailed exposé, aired on September 30, revealed the shocking lack of digital payment options in the Energy Department, particularly in BESCOM and other ESCOMs.
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The NewsFirst report had highlighted irregularities, administrative negligence, and violations of High Court orders regarding the digitization of payment systems. Consumers were forced to make payments only through Demand Drafts (DDs), often spending an entire day visiting banks and BESCOM offices to clear transactions.
The NewsFirst report brought to light that despite the Centre’s push for digital governance, BESCOM lagged far behind, ignoring the High Court’s directive dated November 20, 2024, which had mandated the transition to online payments within six months. BESCOM had even submitted an affidavit promising implementation by May 2025, but nearly eleven months later, nothing had changed.
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Consumers had complained that even amounts above ₹10,000 couldn’t be paid online, and BESCOM only accepted DDs in specific names, rejecting them even for minor spelling errors. The practice caused immense inconvenience and drew criticism from the public and the judiciary alike.
Following NewsFirst’s broadcast, Energy Minister K J George and BESCOM MD Dr. N. Shivashankar took immediate note. Dr. Shivashankar confirmed that “the entire UPI and NEFT payment system will be rolled out in a couple of weeks”, finally bringing relief to lakhs of consumers.
