Prayagraj: Are smart meters pickpocketing money from consumers?

Prayagraj Bureau

Prayagraj. With the aim of saving electricity along with reading and billing, it is alleged that smart meters are emptying the pockets of consumers in the city. Meters that were installed and are thought to be economical and convenient have been found to run 30 times faster during an investigation. The public complaints of meter speeding have proved to be true. A total of 82 thousand smart meters have been installed in all seven divisions of the city.

In general, a house is estimated to consume two hundred units of electricity per month. In this way, if you estimate the amount to be recovered from smart meters running 30 times faster then it will reach crores. It is being said that if more than six hundred rupees is being charged on one meter, then an additional load of Rs 4.90 crore per month is being put on the pocket of the public. According to the data, the plan to install a smart meter was first started in the Rambagh division of Circle I on 10 July 2019.

A few days later, a total of 68 thousand smart meters were installed in Karelbagh, Naini, Kalyani Devi. After this, 14 thousand smart meters have also been installed in the Tagore Town, Mayo Hall and Bamrauli divisions of Circle II. Meanwhile, there was a spurt of complaints of smart meters jumping and running fast, but the officers were busy covering the mistakes continuously. Cross-check meters were installed in hundreds of homes on the basis of complaints, but then smart meters were justified by smudging. It is being said that in the 13 months since July 19, more than 65 crore rupees have been recovered from the pockets of the public. This amount may be even higher when examined. Officials of the electricity department say that complaints about smart meter speeding are being investigated, but no such disturbances have been found so far. Where more turbulence has been found in meters, they have also been replaced. Now in the high-level investigation, after hearing the report of the smart meter running fast, the officials have stopped speaking.

Any complaints about jumping smart meters are being resolved. No such complaints have been confirmed yet in Prayagraj says O.P. Yadav, Chief Engineer.