Srinagar, Oct 20: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Tuesday criticised the elected government over the smart metering drive in Jammu and Kashmir, alleging that the cable policy was placing an additional financial burden on poorer households.
In a statement, Lone said the company installing smart meters provides only four metres of cable per household—two metres for input and two for output—with consumers required to pay for any additional wiring.
“Anything more than 4 meters has to be paid for by the household. Otherwise the household will not get electricity connection,” Lone said, adding that consumers could face disconnection from the grid.
He said households located farther from electric poles require more cable and alleged that many poor families had been forced to pay between ₹4,000 and ₹5,000 for smart meter installation.
Questioning the government’s promise of 200 units of free electricity, Lone said two years had passed without the promised benefit reaching consumers.
He also recalled that smart metering had faced criticism from Chief Minister Omar Abdullah during the election campaign, alleging that people who voted for the government were now being made to bear additional costs.
Calling the cable policy a “shocker of a gift” for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, particularly poorer sections, Lone said the additional expenses had undermined public expectations from the government.
