- Prepaid electricity meters to be installed in J&K offices, PSUs and universities
- Government quarters, corporations and local bodies to get prepaid smart meters
Jammu, April 29: The Jammu and Kashmir government has directed all administrative departments to speed up the installation of prepaid smart electricity meters in government offices, corporations, public sector undertakings, local bodies, universities, and government-owned residential quarters.
The direction has been issued by the Finance Department, which has asked departments to ensure timely compliance and coordinate with the concerned power authorities for the early installation of the meters. The move is aimed at improving electricity billing discipline, ensuring better monitoring of consumption and reducing the burden of pending power dues in government establishments.
According to the directive, prepaid smart meters are to be installed across all government-controlled premises, including departmental offices, autonomous bodies, municipal and local bodies, corporations, PSUs, universities, and residential accommodations owned by the government. The order is expected to bring greater transparency and accountability in the use of electricity by public institutions.
Officials said the step is part of a broader effort to modernize power management and promote responsible consumption of electricity. With prepaid smart meters, users will be able to consume electricity on the basis of advance recharge, similar to prepaid mobile services. This system is expected to reduce billing disputes, prevent the accumulation of arrears and encourage departments to monitor their electricity usage more carefully.
The installation of smart meters in government offices and public institutions is also likely to help the power distribution system by ensuring timely payments and better load management. The authorities believe that government departments must lead by example in adopting reforms aimed at improving financial discipline in the power sector.
The Finance Department’s direction assumes significance as electricity dues from various public institutions often create pressure on the power distribution mechanism. By shifting to prepaid metering, the government aims to introduce a more efficient and accountable payment system that can prevent unchecked consumption and delay in settlement of bills.
The move will also support energy conservation, as departments and offices will be encouraged to use power more judiciously. Smart meters provide accurate consumption data and help identify usage patterns, enabling better planning and control of electricity expenditure.
The departments have been asked to treat the matter on priority and ensure that the installation process is completed in coordination with the concerned agencies. The government is expected to monitor progress to ensure that the transition to prepaid smart metering is implemented smoothly across offices and institutions.