CPM-backed protest held in Chauntra against smart meter installation
Mandi, July 15
Local traders and residents, led by CPM-backed Zila Parishad member Kushal Bhardwaj, staged a protest at Chauntra in Mandi district on Wednesday against the installation of smart electricity meters, alleging that consumers were being intimidated by employees of a private contractor and some officials of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board.
The protest was attended by members of the Chauntra Chamber of Commerce and several local traders. A meeting was held to chalk out a joint strategy to oppose the ongoing installation of smart meters and mobilise consumers in the area.
Addressing the gathering, Bhardwaj alleged that the smart meter programme was part of a larger move towards the privatisation of electricity distribution.
He claimed that such a move would eventually weaken the state electricity board, affect employee jobs and pensions, and lead to higher electricity tariffs for consumers.
He further alleged that smart meters, costing around Rs 10,000 each, would impose an additional financial burden on consumers as the installation cost would be recovered through electricity bills over several years. He also claimed that prepaid smart meters could result in automatic disconnection of power once the recharge balance is exhausted.
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Bhardwaj demanded that the state government immediately suspend the installation of smart meters and restore conventional meters where replacements had allegedly been carried out without the consent of consumers. He warned that if the drive continued, a wider agitation would be launched across the Joginder Nagar area.
Several traders, including Chauntra Chamber of Commerce office-bearers Anil Thakur, Anil Sood and Ravinder Kumar, also alleged that consumers were being pressured during the installation process and opposed any forcible replacement of existing meters.
There was no immediate response from the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board or the agency engaged in the installation of smart meters.
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