Customers with old meters get bills double the usual amount, anger grows over smart meter push

Anger among consumers over smart electricity meters has flared up again. Customers had been strongly opposing the power distribution company's smart meters. The company has now responded in a way that has left consumers speechless, but it places a heavy financial burden on them, and many are deeply upset.

Since last year, the company has been replacing customers' old electricity meters with new smart meters. Consumers were given no prior notice. While this forced replacement was under way, those whose meters had been changed began receiving inflated bills. Opposition to smart meters grew from urban areas to villages.

Even so, the smart meter contractors continued the replacement work along with the company's officials and employees. Protests were held in some places. In some places, customers drove away the contractors' staff who had come to change meters. As a result, the replacement work had slowed somewhat over the past few days.

The company has now found a new method. Customers who still have old meters had been getting higher bills for the past few months. The increase was only slightly above earlier amounts, so customers did not complain much. But the company has now sent these same customers bills that are double the usual amount, and anger has spread among them.

When customers go to the company's office about the higher bills, they are told, "Your meter is faulty, it will have to be replaced." They are also being warned that if the meter is not replaced, the next bill could be even higher. Consumers are left in a no-win situation. It remains to be seen what the electricity consumer protection committee will do about this tactic, or whether it will leave consumers to fend for themselves.

It is being said that this has exposed a hidden nexus between the company and the contractors concerned. Earlier, officials of the same company used to say, "We have no connection with these contractors." Later, the same officials and employees went from house to house with the contractors, which increased resentment against the company. This new method is now said to have been adopted as an alternative.

Customers who pay bills online can for now see these doubled bills on their mobile phones. When the inflated bills actually reach their hands, they will get a rude shock.

What happened to the Chief Minister's assurance? After strong opposition to smart meters from across the state, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis took serious note and spoke on the matter in the House. He had announced that consumers could not be forced to take smart meters and that these meters would be installed only for industries. Ordinary electricity consumers had been pleased. But by doubling the bills of those with old meters, the company has now undone that assurance too and dealt consumers a heavy blow.