State-run power distributor Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) consumers can now pay their bills on-line.

MSEDCL has started its own payment gateway with the help of HDFC Bank to extend e-payment facility to all its consumers, excluding industrial and agricultural consumers (Low Tension consumers) in Maharashtra, today.

With the introduction of this facility, all the low tension (LT) consumers of MSEDCL will be able to pay their energy bills online through credit cards, debit cards and net banking, a company spokesperson told PTI.

Earlier, the facility was available for the consumers in select cities such as Bandup, Kalyan, Pune, Nashik, Kolhapur and Nagpur only.

Now, corporate houses and government departments, having offices all over the state, would be able to pay their energy bills at a single point through internet. No additional charge will be there for using this facility, he said.

About 1.51 crore LT consumers under all the 647 billing units across Maharashtra can view their bills and pay from anywhere by visiting MSEDCL's website www.mahadiscom.in, he said.

In addition, a special helpdesk at MSEDCL head quarters has been set up to attend to the queries and complaints of the consumers. Consumers can lodge their complaints and queries by email to helpdesk_pg@mahadiscom.in , the spokesperson said.

As mandated by the power regulator MERC, a prompt payment discount of one percent on the monthly bill, excluding taxes and duties, will be available to the consumers availing this payment gateway also, he said.

A discount is available if the bills are paid within a period of 7 days from the date of issue of the bill.

Maharashtra Minister for Energy and Water Resources Ajit Pawar inaugurated this new facility today at Prakashgad, the headquarters of MSEDCL here.