Nagpur, 24 June

(HS): Installing the pre-paid smart electric meter will be mandatory for all.

The process will be completed by March 2026, highly placed sources at MSEDCL

confirmed.

Prior to the

Assembly elections, the then Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had assured

that the government would not compel every consumer to install the smart meter. The

assurance was given in the Legislative Assembly. After he became the Chief

Minister, the process of installing the smart meters was expedited.

During the

Foundation Day programme of MSEDCL, Managing Director Lokesh Chandra said that every

day, about 45000 smart meters are being installed in the state. The target is to

install a smart meter for every consumer by March 2026.

The contract for

manufacturing the smart electric meter was awarded to Adani and some other

companies. The decision to install the pre-paid smart meters was opposed by

various organisations and the common people.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Ajay Vasant Mardikar