The operation of existing electric meters and the smart ones is the same, and the installation of the smart meters is mandatory, announced Gujarat Energy Minister Kanu Desai in Vidhan Sabha today, while answering a question on controversial smart meters.

The installation of pre-paid smart meters had earlier invited a stir in the state as people from different districts protested against the installation of digital meters in place of the traditional ones, alleging higher tariffs increased electricity bills, and the cut-offs due to non-payment.

Smart meters mandatory

Answering a question posed by Kirit Patel, Desai said, “Installation of prepaid smart meters is mandatory. Pre-paid smart meters have many advantages. Due to these meters, information about electricity consumption will be available on mobile for the consumers. The functioning of the meters and smart meters used at present is similar.”

Energy dept claims it’s advantageous

According to the Energy Department, instead of relying on the existing manual reading, smart meters will automatically collect electricity consumption data and transmit it to the power distribution companies.

In a smart meter, the data regarding the electricity consumption of the electricity consumer and other information is available to the consumer on a regular and immediate basis on their phone through the smart meter application. 

The department further hails the meters for their customer-friendly features, including their ability to communicate with both the customer and the distribution company.

It claimed that with smart meters, the distributor company can easily plan and understand the electricity demand of each area instantaneously.

Smart meter protests

After the protests had erupted in Surat, Vadodara, and Ahmedabad, Gujarat Urja Vikas Nigam Ltd (GUVNL) clarified some of the misconceptions regarding the technology.

According to the official, if only the meter shows a balance of -₹300, the electricity supply will be cut off between 10 am and 4 pm. Thereafter, when it is recharged, the electricity supply will resume within 15 minutes.