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Time of India
08-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Smart meters live but consumers unable to access data in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: Public resistance to Time of Day (ToD) or smart meters is mounting with many complaining of technical glitches. On Thursday, several consumers raised grievances after they were unable to access real-time consumption data despite MSEDCL's claim that smart meters installed in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar have gone new meters were installed as part of central govt's Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Tired of too many ads? go ad free now These were expected to update consumers on their real-time energy consumption and analyse power consumption data. A consumer from the N-11 sector said he received a message that read 'no data found' when he tried to access his power consumption trends using the official mobile app of MSEDCL. "The MSEDCL replaced my old meter with a smart meter a few weeks ago. While the new devices are projected as modern ones, these so-called smart meters fail to share hourly, daily and monthly power consumption analysis," he said, preferring to official data, over 56,000 ToD meters have been installed by MSEDCL in the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar zone so far. Leftist leader Abhay Taksal, who has launched a public campaign against the new meter installations, said the unavailability of desired data exposes MSEDCL's tall claims. "The installation of smart meters is a strategy to offer benefits to corporate players at the cost of the interest of consumers. Govt must roll back its plan of replacing existing meters," he contacted, Pawankumar Kachhot, MSEDCL chief engineer of the Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar zone, said the private agency concerned was developing a mobile application to access the data concerned. "The mobile application is under development. Once developed and made available to public, consumers will be able to access consumption trends," he told TOI. The MSEDCL top brass said they had no idea why the official mobile app of the state power utility has provided the option of accessing the desired data separately.
Time of India
25-04-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Chorus grows against installation of smart meters in Sambhajinagar
Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: There has been mounting opposition from certain areas in Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar after the MSEDCL started replacing old meters with Time of Day (ToI) meters or smart meters . Leftist politicians accused the BJP and its alliance partners of taking a U-turn in matters related to the smart meters. "Prior to the assembly elections, the BJP assured a stay on installing smart meters, fearing public flak. Now the polls are over, BJP leaders are pushing for the installation of such meters without taking consumers into confidence," said leftist politican Abhay Taksal said. He claimed that the pre-paid meter will burn holes in the pockets of customers. "The present and future govt policies, involving these devices, are private firm-friendly," Taksal said. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trade Bitcoin & Ethereum – No Wallet Needed! IC Markets Start Now Undo Vikas Gaikwad, a consumer leader, said the MSEDCL must replace smart meters installed in some areas at the earliest. "We have planned a mega agitation on May 6 in front of the MSEDCL regional office. A large number of citizens are expected to join the agitation against the smart meters," he said. When contacted, MSEDCL authorities said charges levelled by leftist leaders and others are baseless. "The installation of new meters is a part of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) of the Centre. It is happening across the country with an aim to modernise the power distribution sector by improving its efficiency and accountability. The scheme is consumer-friendly," a senior MSEDCL official said. Power utility officials categorically debunked claims that existing post-paid meters would be converted into pre-paid meters. "It is false propaganda, and consumers must not believe it," authorities said.
