CESC postpones mandatory installation of smart meters for new connections by 15 days

The Chamundeshwari Electricity Supply Corporation (CESC) has postponed the mandatory installation of smart meters for new connections by 15 days. It was supposed to come into effect from July 1.

The decision to postpone the installation followed an appeal by the stakeholders including consumers and members of the Karnataka State Licenced Electrical Contractors’ Association, at a consumer awareness meeting held on Friday.

At the meeting, the association sought additional time for the new connections. A formal representation in support of their plea was submitted to the CESC authorities.

After reviewing the representation, the CESC decided to postpone the mandatory installation of smart meters by 15 days.

Ramaswamy, General Manager of the IT and MIS Department, said that the installation of smart meters was mandatory as per the guidelines of the Central Electricity Authority and the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission.

Highlighting the benefits of installing smart meters, Mr. Ramaswamy said that they make accurate billing, prevent unnecessary electricity usage, make recharge options easy, detects fault quickly, can track and manage electricity consumption, and enhance transparency in power usage.

In the discussions that followed in the meeting, some consumers urged the authorities for a phased installation.

They said that the public was not fully aware of smart meters and urged the authorities to install the meters on a trial basis in factories and government offices to evaluate the drawbacks and the advantages.

The CESC should create awareness on smart meter maintenance, recharge procedures, steps to be taken in case of malfunction, the consumers.

Sharanamma S. Jangina, Chief General Manager of CESC, Mrutyunjaya, Chief Engineer, Ramesh, DGM of IT and MIS, members of the Karnataka State Licensed Electrical Contractors’ Association, and other stakeholders were present.