In Mumbai: BEST collects Rs11 crore, BMC Rs3 crore in one day

With the state government allowing the use of discontinued Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes for paying public utility bills, citizens rushed to their nearest ward offices and bill collection centres on Friday. Consequently, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) collected dues amounting to Rs11 crore, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) body earned Rs10 crore from property and water tax in a day.

With the state government allowing the use of discontinued Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes for paying public utility bills, citizens rushed to their nearest ward offices and bill collection centres on Friday. Consequently, the Brihanmumbai Electric Supply and Transport (BEST) collected dues amounting to Rs11 crore, while the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) body earned Rs10 crore from property and water tax in a day.

According to BEST officials, they usually collect Rs2.5 crore to Rs3 crore daily. After a directive from the state government, the BEST undertaking started to accept discontinued Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes from Thursday. Earlier, it accepted these notes only at its pass renewal centres.

“We have received bill payments of Rs11 crore till 7pm,” said Hanumant Gophane, public relations officer, BEST.

Taking note of the four-fold rise in collection, BEST kept its 11 bill collection centres in the island city open till Friday midnight. A senior civic officer said, “The data compilation work will be completed on Saturday.”

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