Power Ministry to Install Smart Prepaid Meters

Smart Prepaid Meters are to bring revolution in power sector by way of reduction in aggregate technical & commercial losses, better health of DISCOMs.

Bringing a revolution in power sector, Ministry of Power has taken a decision to make all meter smart and prepaid in the next three years. The installation of smart meters will begin on April 1, 2019, and the entire exercise will be completed by March 31, 2022.

As per the press release issued by the ministry of power, this step is likely to bring revolution in power sector by way of reduction in aggregate technical & commercial losses, better health of DISCOMs, incentivisation of energy conservation, ease of bill payments and doing away with the paper bills.

Move towards smart meters is a pro poor step as consumers need not pay the whole month’s bill in one go, instead they can pay as per their requirements. Manufacturing of smart prepaid meters will also generate skilled employment for the youth.

The statement also pondered upon the ministry’s commitment to provide electricity for all while saying, “It may be recalled that the State Governments had earlier signed the Power for All document and had agreed to supply 24*7 power supply to their consumers.

“Thus the distribution licensee shall provide 24*7 power to their consumers by 1st April, 2019 or earlier. However the appropriate Commission in exceptional circumstances for the reasons to be recorded in writing may grant extension in this time period,” the statement further mentioned.