Amidst the growing uproar, UPCL took a big decision…The controversy over smart prepaid meters in uttarakhand is continuously increasing. In many districts, the public and public representatives have strongly opposed it. Especially in the Kumaon region, resentment is being seen regarding this. congress mla Tilakraj Behad expressed his protest by throwing these meters on the road. Amidst the growing protest, now uttarakhand Power Corporation Limited (UPCL) has prepared a new action plan on this.
The Energy Department has decided to form a special team to clear the doubts of the public. This team will tell the consumers the features of smart prepaid meters and remove misunderstandings. At present, in view of the protest, the department has temporarily stopped the work of installing meters and has decided to keep the meter on postpaid mode only.
Congress mla opposed smart meter
Congress mla from Kichha Tilakraj Behad says that smart prepaid meter is a way to put an additional burden on the general public. He alleged that the government is forcibly installing these meters in people's homes to benefit some companies. He claims that in many places, bills are coming from these meters even without using electricity. In such a situation, this can be a new trick to collect money from the poor people. Behad said in clear words that if these meters are installed in his area, there will be a big movement and if needed, he is also ready to go to jail. Due to his protest, the work of installing smart meters has been stopped in many areas for the time being.
Smart meters will bring transparency in electricity bills - Energy Ministry
The Energy Ministry had announced to install smart prepaid meters across the country. Under this scheme, these meters are to be installed in 15.87 lakh houses in Uttarakhand. The Energy Department says that consumers will get many benefits from these meters. customers will be able to recharge electricity from their mobile itself. The consumer will know how much electricity he is consuming. There will be transparency in the electricity bill and the problem of wrong billing will end. However, in view of the doubts and opposition of the public, UPCL has now clarified that the specialty of this meter will be explained to the people first and until they are completely satisfied, it will work only in postpaid mode. The misunderstanding in the minds of the people will be removed.
