The dispute between electricity consumers and the electricity department in Sehore city of Madhya Pradesh regarding smart meters is continuously escalating. While consumers are opposing the installation of smart meters, the Madhya Kshetra Vidyut Vitran Company has decided to deploy gun-toting security personnel with the teams installing the meters, considering the growing tension. The department says that this step has been taken with security in mind to deal with any untoward situation while installing the meters.
According to Sudhir Sharma, the General Manager of Sehore, a total of 67,051 smart meters are targeted to be installed in the district under the RDSS scheme, of which 13,680 meters have been installed so far. However, consumers are complaining that there has been a sudden increase in electricity bills after the installation of smart meters, leading to discontent. The situation has reached a point where the company now has to take the help of police protection and armed guards.
331 Smart Meters Installed in Nipania
The electricity department has also clarified that all possible steps are being taken to monitor the functioning of the meters. Officials said that to maintain transparency, check meters are being installed on 5 percent of the total smart meters, so that the complaints of the consumers can be properly evaluated.
In Nipania village of Sehore, 331 smart meters have been installed so far, including 31 check meters. The investigation found that the electricity consumption recorded in both the smart meter and the check meter was the same, which is building confidence in the functionality of the meter. Officials said that earlier, consumers were issued estimated bills based on the sanctioned load, but now they are getting bills according to actual consumption, which is more accurate and transparent.
Benefits of Discounts and Subsidies with Smart Meters
The electricity department claims that consumers are also getting many benefits from smart meters. Officials say that consumers are being given a discount of 25 paise per unit as per the current tariff. Apart from this, there is relief in security deposit, a discount of 0.5 percent on every bill payment, and no maximum limit on the discount for domestic consumers. Also, information about electricity consumption is available to consumers every 15 minutes on their mobile phones, which gives them accurate information about their usage.
Despite this, the resentment is not abating. Three days ago, hundreds of consumers submitted a memorandum to the Collector, demanding the removal of smart meters. Meanwhile, in the Dashahara Wala Bagh area, angry people protested by breaking the smart meters.
Technical Transparency and Consumer Trust
The electricity company now faces a dual challenge—on one hand, it has to successfully implement the smart meter while maintaining technical transparency, and on the other hand, it has to remove the feeling of discontent among the consumers. The department is constantly highlighting the benefits of the meters, but consumers will not be satisfied until they feel its direct benefit in their experience.
Currently, the dispute over smart meters in Sehore has become not only technical but also a test of consumer trust.
