AGARTALA, Aug. 12: The Tripura Pradesh Congress has raised concerns over the implementation of smart electric meters in the state, alleging that some consumers have received unusually high electricity bills following their installation.
Addressing a press conference at the Pradesh Congress Bhavan in Agartala on Wednesday, party spokesperson Prabir Chakraborty demanded the withdrawal of additional charges, scrapping of the ART meter system and an independent inquiry into complaints of inflated bills.
Chakraborty alleged that the BJP-led government was imposing an additional financial burden on consumers in the name of modernising the power sector. He questioned whether the claimed benefits of smart meters were reaching ordinary consumers.
“The use of technology is not the issue. Technology should make the system more transparent, efficient and affordable for people,” he said, while demanding greater accountability from the authorities.
The Congress leader claimed that several consumers had reported substantial increases in their electricity bills despite no corresponding change in consumption. In some cases, he alleged, bills had increased several times compared with previous months.
He questioned who would be held responsible if abnormal bills resulted from technical problems, faulty meters or errors in billing.
Chakraborty also referred to his own electricity bill, saying he was examining an unusually high bill received at his residence.
The Congress demanded verification of electricity consumption and billing records before and after smart meter installation, along with an assessment of meter accuracy. It also sought an independent investigation into complaints of abnormal billing and clear explanations for unusual increases.
Chakraborty said the Congress would support technological improvements in the power sector if they benefited consumers but would oppose any system that increased the financial burden on households.
