Concerns over smart meters spark; CCI Jammu holds meeting with market associations
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Presidents and General Secretaries from various Market Associations gathered at the Chamber House, led by Arun Gupta, CCI President to deliberate on the mounting concerns regarding the introduction of smart meters and the consequent shift to prepaid billing, initiated by the Power Development Department (PDD).
Chaired by Arun Gupta, the meeting commenced with a clear focus: to navigate the implications of adopting smart meters and the ensuing billing changes. Gupta welcomed attendees and shed light on his efforts to address the issue. Highlighting the urgency, he detailed engagements such as a press conference and a crucial meeting with MD JPDCL Shiv Anat Tatyal on August 8, 2023. Gupta voiced the collective worry of consumers facing unexpectedly high power bills post smart meter installations.
He also questioned the decision to replace conventional digital meters with smart meters and expressed reservations about mounting these meters on electric poles, potentially infringing on consumers’ fundamental rights.
A key concern was Gupta’s criticism of the PDD’s comparison of smart meter readings with digital meters. He urged the department to provide substantial explanations for the bill surge post smart meter installation. Gupta advocated for the creation of a committee to systematically address consumer grievances.
Attendees echoed Gupta’s apprehensions, emphasizing the need to curb transmission losses that remained disproportionately high compared to other regions. They suggested involving business community members and civil society representatives in decisions impacting the public. Attendees expressed frustration with perceived undue government intervention on various fronts.
The lack of prompt action for electricity disruptions post smart meter installations was another major concern. Attendees expressed dissatisfaction with the administration’s handling of complaints about escalated bills attributed to the new meters.
In response, attendees proposed a powerful measure: a “Jammu Bandh,” a complete shutdown of business activities. This move aimed to spotlight the gravity of their concerns. Arun Gupta, President of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI), was authorized to determine the timing for announcing the “Jammu Bandh.”
The meeting also saw the participation of key office bearers, including Rajeev Gupta (Jr. Vice President), Manish Gupta (Secretary General), Rajesh Gupta (Secretary), and Rajesh Gupta (Treasurer), alongside Presidents and General Secretaries representing over 100 associations.
