Punjab CM Bhagwant Mann greenlights installation of prepaid meter at Govt offices
Patiala, November 28: Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) will soon install prepaid meters in all government agencies after repeated delays in payment of outstanding bills by government agencies despite very high consumption. The move aims to reduce PSPCL's losses and "ensure that government agencies consume power according to available funds."
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Punjab Government officials have confirmed that the government has agreed to install prepaid meters outside government offices in the first phase.
To date, Punjab has refused to install prepaid meters for all consumers despite the launch of smart metering projects. A state with a consumer base of over INR 100 crore loses INR 120 crore each year to electricity theft.
Earlier, the Federal Ministry of Energy said in a March 10 letter that "Punjab has not yet prepared a roadmap for the installation of prepaid smart meters." Lacking funds, he 4,444 states need Rs 8,000 to implement this scheme, of which only 15% of him comes from the Centre. “But we are on the right track starting with government agencies,” said a senior PSPCL official.
Another of his PSPCL officials said, “Initially the government will pay for it, but after five years it will be taken away from the consumer”.
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-with inputs from Gagandeep Ahuja
- PTC NEWS
