Dear Sir,

Kahramaa’s decision to stop issuing paper bills from April 1 is good for the environment and in line with the utility’s “green” outlook. But its policy to accept bill payments only through Visa card is good only for those who have such cards.

Kahramaa’s customers need to open a bank account in order to apply for a Visa card. This means they must maintain a minimum deposit of QR500 in their accounts at all times. On top of that they also have to deposit in the account the amount due from them to Kahramaa each month. This maybe good for Kahramaa but difficult for some consumers, at least.

Everybody in Qatar is not rich enough to have a bank account and a Visa card. Kahramaa must realise that even though Qatar is a rich state, it has a large expatriate population, with many of them having no savings to maintain a bank account as they struggle to make ends meet.

Like Ooredoo, Kahramaa should open at least one window at the post office, where payments by cash can be accepted. The payment by e-card is also good as it costs only QR20, which is reasonable. Kahramaa should continue with the practice of accepting e-card as it did before.

 

A N Singh

PO Box 2560

Doha

 

Drive to boost safety awareness

Dear Sir,

Congratulations to Qatar Red Crescent Society (QRCS) chairman Dr Mohamed bin Ghanem al-Maadheed and secretary general Saleh Ali M al-Muhanadi on their initiatives to improve people’s awareness about safety and security in Qatar.

It would be great if QRCS organises a safety and security awareness drive targeting private organisations like schools, colleges, malls, hotels, banks, hospitals, highrise buildings and car showrooms. Security officials working with these establishments may be trained to better respond to any natural disasters.

Hotlines may be introduced to report any emergency incidents by the general public.

 

Shaikh Qaiser

Head of Security

MES Indian School

Doha

 

Urdu service becomes dull

Dear Sir,

I am a regular listener of Qatar’s Urdu radio service. Of late, I have noticed that its programmes are not as lively as before. Announcers keep on talking on topics or answering calls from some listeners, that are of no interest to the public. Instead of entertaining people, the programme has become dull.

Announcers should devote their time to airing good Hindi/Urdu songs, ghazals and qawwalis instead of talking always.

 

Mohamed Shehzad

Doha

(Address supplied)