Smart meters will not be installed in West Bengal
The West Bengal State government has decided not to install smart meters in households further. In response to a question in the assembly on Wednesday, Power Minister Aroop Biswas made it clear that smart meters will not be installed in the state. The houses where such meters have already been installed on an experimental basis will also be considered ordinary postpaid meters.
The minister said that installing smart meters was not the state's internal decision. This project was imposed on the state as per the central government's gazette notification. The state electricity department had issued the notification in compliance with that order. But the government has reconsidered this decision as complaints about various inconveniences, additional bills, and technical problems among consumers are increasing.
Standing in the assembly today, Arup Biswas said, "The opposition is trying to do politics in the name of installing smart meters. The Chief Minister has clearly stated that nothing will be forced on the common people of the state. Therefore, the installation of smart meters has been stopped."
The minister said that from now on, the previous system of paying post-paid bills every three months will remain in place. Even where already smart meter is installed, it will not work as prepaid. He said that this decision will be applicable to all the consumers across the state.
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