Symbolic picture
– Photo : Amar Ujala
Expansion
Even after two years, 11.54 lakh smart meters installed in Uttar Pradesh have not been changed from 2G and 3G to 4G. Whereas the order to change them was given in the year 2022 itself. In such a situation, these smart meters are being operated manually. The Consumer Council has demanded that the engineers who are praising the smart prepaid meters, they should first be installed in their homes. Only if they are found correct here, then the process of installing them in the homes of consumers should be started.
In 2021, 11.54 lakh smart meters were installed in the state. These were of 2G and 3G technology. In the year 2022, instructions were given to change them to 4G. In this regard, the Power Corporation, citing the instructions of the Union Ministry of Energy, directed Energy Efficiency Services Limited to change the technology. Even after this, the 4G technology was not changed in the old meters. When the connection of these consumers is cut due to non-payment of electricity bill, they have to make rounds for several days. These meters are running manually. Now there is a preparation to install smart prepaid meters of 4G technology in the house of every consumer of the state, which costs about Rs 25 thousand crore.
State Electricity Consumer Council President Awadhesh Kumar Verma said that there are many flaws in the smart prepaid meter. It should first be installed in the houses of the engineers who are praising it. This will also ensure that the quality of the smart meter can be checked properly. On the other hand, the trust of consumers will also increase.
He said that there are preparations to install 4G in the consumer’s home. By the time these are installed, 5G will arrive. In such a situation, what is the guarantee that the concerned company will change the technology of these meters? Because many irregularities were found in the meters installed earlier, which has also been investigated by the STF.