India, Nov. 7 -- Residents of sector 51, Noida, have strongly opposed the electricity department's new directive that bans the payment of power bills through cheques, making online transactions mandatory for all consumers.

Terming the move "impractical and exclusionary," residents said it would cause unnecessary hardship for households already struggling with billing issues, especially for senior citizens and those unfamiliar with digital payment methods.

"We haven't received electricity bills since January. It is every consumer's right to get a hard copy whenever a bill is generated. Senior citizens, in particular, are facing difficulties making online payments. The process is not only cumbersome - with OTPs and multiple steps-but also...