Prepaid smart meters: The electricity meters that are present in the entire country are generated every month, due to which the power distribution companies are under pressure due to non-payment of time.
With this step of the government, the financial condition of the power companies will improve as well as bill payment will also be easy for the electricity consumers.
Prepaid Smart Meters: Now all over the country, smart meters will be installed in every house. The government has fixed a time limit for this. Let us tell you that a few days ago, the Ministry of Power had advised all the central ministries of the government to instruct the organizations under their administrative control to install prepaid smart meters. Now a notification has been issued by the Ministry of Power regarding this. After the installation of prepaid smart meters, it is expected that the financial condition of the electricity distribution companies will improve, which are still burdened with the outstanding electricity bills.
GoI notifies timelines for replacement of existing meters with smart meters with prepayment feature. All consumers (other than agricultural consumers) in areas with communication network,shall be supplied electricity with Smart Meters working in prepayment mode: Ministry of Power pic.twitter.com/MmDpFc6Wa2
— ANI (@ANI) August 19, 2021
What is prepaid smart meter
Prepaid meter works in the same way as prepaid mobile, meaning as much electricity as money. However, prepaid meters are used in many parts of the country. which needs to be recharged. After the installation of prepaid meters in central government offices, industrial units, it will be implemented across the country. Prepaid smart meters will be installed in the homes of all electricity consumers. According to the notification issued by the Ministry of Power, prepaid smart meters will be installed everywhere except agriculture.
Prepaid smart meters across the country by March 2025
The Ministry of Power has said in its notification that by December 2023, smart meters will be installed in all block level government offices. It has also been said in the notification that the State Electricity Commission can extend this deadline twice and for a maximum of 6 months. However, they will also have to give valid reasons for this. According to the notification, gradually by March 2025, prepaid smart meters will be installed across the country.
Prepaid smart meters will be installed here first
According to the notification of the Government of India, smart meters will be installed by 2023 in any unit where the urban consumer is more than 50%, and the AT&C loss is more than 15%. In other places it will be imposed by 2025. AT&C stands for Aggregate Technical and Commercial Loss. Which are due to poor or inadequate infrastructure or due to theft of electricity or non-payment of bills. The State Regulatory Commissions in the respective areas will take a final decision regarding the restoration of electricity supply through existing meters in those areas where the communication network is weak or is not there.
