Agartala: Former Power Minister Manik Dey on Wednesday raised serious concerns over the government’s smart meter programme, alleging it could effectively transfer control of the state’s power system to private companies without clear accountability.
Addressing a press conference, Dey said complaints over power services, billing, and smart meters have mounted since 2018, with consumers reporting bills rising several-fold despite unchanged usage — concerns the government has yet to satisfactorily address. He noted that trial installation of 40,000-50,000 smart meters during the Left Front government’s tenure had drawn no major complaints, unlike the current rollout.
Dey alleged that with private firms now supplying, installing, and maintaining meters, accountability for faults or billing errors remains unclear, unlike earlier when the Power Corporation held direct responsibility. He also flagged that meter costs have risen from around Rs 1,400-1,600 to Rs 8,000-12,000, questioning how ordinary consumers would bear replacement costs.
He further alleged the push stems partly from a failed 2025 law to make smart meters mandatory, now being pursued via administrative orders, and warned of eventual “time-of-day” pricing raising peak-hour costs.
Dey said strengthening public institutions, not privatisation, was the sustainable path forward.