Consumers oppose installation of new electricity meters by MSEDCL
electricity meters
, citing that state govt before the elections last year assured that this system would not be initiated. Further, they highlighted that these meters cost Rs12,000 per unit, which they believe will become their burden, even though Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) earlier said users would not have to pay for the same.
At present, MSEDCL has already started installing the new 'Time of Day' (ToD) meters. Nashik Zilla Grahak Panchayat vice president Suresh Patil said, "When people opposed the installation of 'smart meters' earlier, political leaders — before going to the polls — said govt would not implement the same. However, since Dec 2024, this work has begun on a war footing. Already, at least one lakh meters have been installed in Nashik zone alone. MSEDCL calls them ToD meters, but they are the same as the smart meters."
Patil added that MSEDCL is installing the meters despite state govt issuing no such orders. "This work is going on without the consent of state govt. Each meter costs Rs12,000 and even if MSEDCL claims the cost will not be recovered from consumers, it must be noted that the company cannot spend from its pocket," he said.
Panchayat members pointed out that a Union govt grant covers only Rs900 per meter, and asked who would pay the remaining Rs11,100 to the contractor installing these units. Group secretary Vilas Deole said, "The cost will surely be recovered from consumers in the form of a tariff, as the company will quote these expenses under infrastructure development when it presents the balance sheet to the Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC)."
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The consumers' body also highlighted that residents in states like Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, and Rajasthan are vexed with similar pre-paid meters, as they claim to have issues with units being hiked, and have been opposing further installations. Moreover, consumers who have received new meters in Nashik have also started filing such complaints already.
Kamatwade resident Prasad Chavan said, "My meter was changed without my consent. In the latest bill, I was charged for 123 units, which is beyond the monthly average or consumption during the same period last year — around 89 units. I have raised a complaint and decided not to pay the dues unless the issue is resolved."
When contacted, an MSEDCL source told TOI that the issue faced by consumers would be addressed. They also stressed that the replacement of meters was going on with the consent of the power utility's head office, and the work would be finished by June this year.
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