The two power distribution companies of Telangana (Discoms) are getting ready to install technologically up-to-date prepaid energy meters in some government offices and departments, including those belonging to the local bodies soon, after the State Government’s indecision over bearing the cost of instruments for more than a year now.
With a view to check wastage of energy and to prevent piling up power bill dues from government/local bodies offices the State Government proposed, before GHMC elections last year, installation of prepaid energy meters from April last year. However, it did not take off first due to the government indecision and later due to delay in incorporating the technological advances in such meters.
The decision for installation of prepaid energy meters was taken by the State Government while writing-off the arrears of below poverty line domestic consumers with monthly consumption up to 50 units with the arrangement of government clearing the dues. Accordingly, about ₹55 crore was released by the government for the purpose in the second half of 2016.
Clearing dues
“It was also decided that the departments concerned should also clear their power bill dues as early as possible as the dues stood at over ₹1,923 crore till December 31, 2015,” official sources in the Energy Department stated adding that the arrears from government/local bodies stand at about ₹2,500 crore now.
When contacted, Director of Southern Power Distribution Company of Telangana Ltd (TSSPDCL) T. Srinivas told The Hindu that the delay in installing prepaid energy meters was on account of technology upgradation. “We have already received 3,000 such meters and we will soon install them in government offices in the City,” he stated.
Latest tech
He explained that the prepaid energy meters were so advanced that they would function in dual mode — prepaid and normal (post paid). Even in case of change in tariff there would be no need for electricity staff visiting the offices where the meters are fixed as they could be recalibrated remotely from the Discom office.
About 200 prepaid energy meters, with the available technology, limitations in terms of features, were installed on pilot basis in some government offices in Central and North Circles in the City last year including at NTR Ghat and PV Ghat. “They are functioning absolutely without a problem,” the officials said.