Paperman Media ( Bhubaneswar )- The Biju Janata Dal (BJD) on Monday accused the BJP-led Odisha Government of “exploiting consumers” through smart meter installation and alleged a nexus between the State Government and Tata Power.
Addressing a press conference at Sankha Bhawan, former Minister and MLA Dr Arun Sahoo and former Minister and MLA Captain Dibyashankar Mishra raised questions over smart meter pricing, consumer charges and the proposed audit of power distribution companies.
Dr Sahoo alleged that the State Government had provided Rs 735 crore to Tata Power as subsidy for smart meters, including Rs 307 crore for meters already installed and Rs 428 crore for new installations. He questioned why consumers were still being charged meter rent when the Government had borne the cost of the meters.
He further claimed that while smart meters in Uttar Pradesh, Delhi and Karnataka cost less than Rs 3,000, the price shown for a smart meter in Odisha was Rs 3,993. He sought immediate implementation of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission’s (OERC) advice for a CAG audit of all four distribution companies.
Captain Mishra alleged that Tata Power had repeatedly approached the OERC seeking tariff hikes citing increased operational costs. He also alleged that local contractual workers were being retrenched while outside agencies were being engaged for meter reading, billing and bill collection.
The BJD leaders demanded publication of distribution companies’ annual reports, including revenue, infrastructure expenditure and profit-and-loss details, besides a stronger mechanism for resolving consumer grievances.
They warned that continued inaction could lead to a “massive public movement” in the State.
