The Narendra Modi government plans to make all electricity meters smart prepaid in three years in a bid to cut transmission and distribution losses, an official statement said.
"The move towards smart meters is a pro-poor step as consumers need not pay the whole month's bill in one go; they can pay as per their requirements," it said.
The Union power ministry has decided to make all meters smart prepaid in three years from April 1, 2019.
"This step is likely to bring a revolution in the power sector by way of reduction in AT&C losses, better health of DISCOMs, incentivisation of energy conservation, ease of bill payments and doing away with the paper bills," the statement said.
In a pro-poor step where consumers need not pay the whole month's bill in one go, instead they can pay as per their requirements, Govt has decided to make all meters smart prepaid in 3 years. This will bring along various other benefits to power sector. https://t.co/wITWnYqtTQ pic.twitter.com/Yu0yZnhaow
— R. K. Singh (@RajKSinghIndia) December 24, 2018
Manufacturing of smart prepaid meters will also generate skilled employment for the youth.
State governments had earlier signed the Power for All document and had agreed to supply power round the clock to their consumers.
Under this, "the distribution licensee shall provide 24 x 7 power to their consumers by 1st April, 2019 or earlier. However the appropriate commission in exceptional circumstances for the reasons to be recorded in writing may grant extension in this time period," the statement added.
