Govt should stop installation of smart meters and prepaid meters : CCI
Says inflated bills, location of meters raising apprehensions
Jammu, 05-08-2023 : The Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), Jammu, has called upon the Government to address the ongoing concerns surrounding the installation of smart meters in the Jammu region.
In this regard, a press conference was convened at the Chamber House today under the chairmanship of Arun Gupta, President CCI Jammu in which other office bearers were also present.
Arun Gupta raised pressing issues related to inflated power bills and sought transparency and clarification from the Government. Expressing deep concern, he emphasized the urgent need for clarity on the escalating power bills that have caused distress among the populace subsequent to the installation of new smart meters. He questioned the necessity of replacing the existing digital meters with smart meters, urging government to verify the authenticity of these devices. He highlighted the importance of discerning the discrepancies between the old and new power bills.
Drawing attention to the potential misuse of digital meters, CCI President underscored the Government’s responsibility to elucidate the reasons for this transition and address the concerns of consumers who lack access to information regarding these meters.
Arun Gupta also voiced apprehensions about the placement of meters on poles, which has generated unease among the general public. He proposed an alternative approach, suggesting that new Smart Meters should be installed within consumers’ homes, as per the past practice, to alleviate such concerns.
He also resented over move of Government to switching from Smart Meters to Prepaid Meters within a short timeframe, he argued that this abrupt shift can cause undue mental distress to power consumers, terming it as direct attack on their fundamental rights.
President of CCI, Arun Gupta, appealed to the Government to immediately halt the ongoing process of smart meter installations until the raised concerns are effectively addressed. He also demanded that the Government should come up with one time amnesty scheme for commercial users as they are the worst sufferers after the abrogation of article 370 and 35A and also due to Covid-19.
The other office bearers present in the press conference include Sh. Anil Gupta, Sr. Vice President, Sh. Rajeev Gupta, Jr. Vice President, Sh. Manish Gupta, Secretary General, Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Secretary and Sh. Rajesh Gupta, Treasurer.
