HC rejects petitions against Karnatakas smart meter mandate
PTI
Bengaluru, Aug 13 (PTI) The Karnataka High Court on Wednesday dismissed two petitions challenging the state government's decision to mandate the installation of smart pre-paid electricity meters for new consumers, despite concerns over their high cost compared to neighbouring states.
Justice M Nagaprasanna, who reserved orders on July 22, noted that a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) raising similar issues is already pending before a division bench.
'Judicial discipline demands hierarchy, and propriety requires this court to show judicial hands off to the present petitions. Therefore, the subject petitions are not entertainable," the judge said.
The court also recorded an earlier submission from Advocate General Shashi Kiran Shetty that the state would not compel the petitioners to install smart meters in their residences since these were not new connections.
During earlier hearings, the bench had remarked on the stark price difference between Karnataka and other states, observing, 'Everywhere else it is Rs 900 for the same smart meter, here you are charging Rs 8,900 — where will poor people go? You have outsourced the work; this is dangerous. You are squeezing the poor." An interim order had been issued then, preventing the state from making smart meters compulsory in situations not covered by the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (Pre-paid Smart Metering) Regulations, 2024.
Representing one of the petitioners, Senior Advocate Lakshmy Iyengar argued that the policy would eventually affect all consumers, questioning the tender process and highlighting the financial burden when other states offer the same meters at a fraction of the cost.
Advocate General Shetty, however, maintained that the requirement applies only to new households, not to existing electricity consumers. PTI JR ROH
view comments
First Published:
August 13, 2025, 20:00 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Economic Times
43 minutes ago
- Economic Times
US remains a rare safe haven for Vladimir Putin
Synopsis To prevent the world's highest criminal court from being used to prosecute Americans, the US has long refused to join the ICC, created over 20 years ago under the 1998 Rome Statute to handle accusations of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. As a result, the US is virtually the only country in the West that Putin can visit without worrying about arrest. Only a handful of other major powers, including China, India, Russia and Israel, have abstained from becoming signatories to the court. PTI Vladimir Putin ANCHORAGE: When the International Criminal Court accused President Vladimir Putin of Russia of war crimes in 2023 and issued a warrant for his arrest, the move was largely symbolic because there was little chance he would stand trial. But it immediately jeopardised Putin's ability to travel to the more than 120 countries that have signed on to the ICC. They include almost every nation in Europe and dozens more in Africa, Asia and Latin America. They are all legally required to arrest Putin and send him to The Hague if he sets foot on their soil. But Putin's visit to Alaska highlighted a notable exception. To prevent the world's highest criminal court from being used to prosecute Americans, the US has long refused to join the ICC, created over 20 years ago under the 1998 Rome Statute to handle accusations of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide. As a result, the US is virtually the only country in the West that Putin can visit without worrying about arrest. Only a handful of other major powers, including China, India, Russia and Israel, have abstained from becoming signatories to the court.
News18
43 minutes ago
- News18
Pak Army chief Munir rules out change in country's leadership: Report
Last Updated: Islamabad, Aug 16 (PTI) Pakistan Army chief Asim Munir has ruled out any change in the leadership, describing rumours about the removal of President Asif Ali Zardari as completely false and against both the government and the establishment, a media report said on Saturday. In July, social media reports began to circulate that President Zardari may be asked to step down and that the army chief would take over the top office. However, top government officials — Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi — rejected such claims. Suhail Warraich, a columnist for the Jang media group, claimed in an article published Saturday that the army chief had spoken to him in person on the matter during a recent meeting in Brussels. Munir briefly stayed in Belgium on his return from last week's visit to the United States. 'The talk started with politics, especially on rumours that there is some effort to change the president of Pakistan as well as the prime minister. Field Marshal Munir clearly said, during both the Brussels gathering and in his two-hour discussion with me, that the rumours about a change were completely false," Warraich claimed in the column published in the Urdu daily Jang. The article claimed that Munir also outlined his ambitions in the Brussels gathering, saying that: 'God has made me protector of the country. I do not desire any position other than that." 'On a question about politics, he [Munir] said that political reconciliation is possible only if there is a sincere apology," the report read. Although it was not clear who Munir was referring to, it can be inferred that he may have been referring to the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) and its incarcerated leader, Imran Khan. On foreign relations, Munir was said to have expressed confidence in maintaining equilibrium between the US and China. 'We will not sacrifice one friend for the other," Munir was quoted as saying. The army chief also described President Donald Trump's efforts for peace as 'genuine", and said Pakistan had taken the lead in nominating him for the Nobel Peace Prize, which was then followed by other nations. PTI SH RD ZH RD RD (This story has not been edited by News18 staff and is published from a syndicated news agency feed - PTI) view comments First Published: August 17, 2025, 00:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
43 minutes ago
- News18
Odisha: Direct flight between Bhubaneswar, Jharsuguda launched
Agency: PTI Bhubaneswar, Aug 16 (PTI) A direct flight between Bhubaneswar and Jharsuguda was flagged off by Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi on Saturday. The service, operated by Star Air, has been launched under the state's B-MAAN (Building and Management of Aviation Assets and Network) scheme. 'This milestone will not only bring western Odisha closer to the state capital but also give a substantial boost to industrial growth, tourism, and cultural exchange. The launch of this route is expected to enhance regional air connectivity, bridge distances within the state, and create inclusive and accessible aviation infrastructure for all sections of society," Majhi said. Star Air will operate a 76-seater aircraft from Tuesday to Saturday on the route. view comments First Published: August 17, 2025, 00:00 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
