Installation of Smart Meters is Legally Binding

Clarification in the Legislative Assembly, do not spread misconceptions.

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HT Correspondent 

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Mumbai:- As per the Electricity Act 2003 and the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations 2006, it is mandatory for all power companies to install smart meters. Accordingly, 1 crore 23 lakh smart meters have been installed in the state. Out of these, complaints have been received from only 3 lakh 92 thousand consumers. Those complaints are also being resolved. Therefore, MLAs should not unnecessarily spread misconceptions about this, said Minister of State for Energy, Meghana Bordikar.

In the Legislative Assembly, MLA Bhimrao Tapkir had raised a calling attention motion regarding the interrupted power supply in Pune and smart meters. Speaking on this calling attention motion, MLAs Chetan Tupe, Nilesh Rane, and Nana Patole raised the issue that electricity bills are high due to smart meters.

MLA Chetan Tupe asked whether electricity bills have increased threefold due to smart meters. Is there a mechanism to check if the meters manufactured by the company are accurate, and will consumers have the right to decide which meter to install?

Responding to this, Bordikar said that 9 lakh 74 thousand smart meters were installed in Pune till June 2026. Out of these, 11 thousand 770 consumers complained about inflated electricity bills. After inspection, truth was found in only 4 of these complaints. Therefore, Bordikar stated that it is incorrect to say that electricity bills increase due to smart meters.

 Prepaid Meter is Optional, This is a Postpaid Smart Meter

People are being looted through smart meters. It is the government's responsibility to ensure people are not looted. The Chief Minister had announced in the House that smart meters would be optional; what happened to that? This point was raised by MLA Nana Patole. Replying to this, Bordikar said that prepaid meters will be optional. This is a postpaid smart meter.