Nagpur: Maharashtra govt is preparing to roll out smart electricity meters across the district as part of its power sector modernisation drive. Many citizens remain hesitant and unconvinced about the benefits of the new system though.Shahnawaz Sheikh expressed strong reservations. “The new smart meters continue recording consumption even during power outages, resulting in inflated bills,” he alleged. Opposing the drive, he claimed consumers could end up receiving bills nearly double the previous amounts. Meanwhile, secretary of Vidarbha Taxpayers Association (VTA) Tejinder Singh Renu urged citizens to understand the system before opposing it. “At present, consumers depend on a postpaid billing system, but smart meters will give them greater control over monitoring their own electricity consumption. Since installation is free, there is no reason to oppose it, without knowing its benefits,” Singh said. “The rollout should be practical and not rushed. Authorities must ensure citizens are informed and assure the system is transparent and in their interest,” he added.
