Maharashtra’s farmers get ready to fight off prepayment electricity meters
A significant conflict is looming in Maharashtra’s agricultural fields, as the state’s farmers are demanding the implementation of Telangana’s free power supply model, while the Eknath Shinde government is gearing up to introduce the power supply model based on smart card technology, similar to the approach taken by Modi’s administration.
The government plans to introduce smart prepaid meters in four key regions of the state: Pune, Aurangabad, Nagpur, and Konkan. This initial phase of the Revised Distribution Area Scheme (RDSS), led by Mahavitaran, a subsidiary of the Maharashtra State Electricity Board, is estimated to cost around Rs. 15,000 crore. This move has generated considerable controversy and debate.
The shift towards prepaid meters for power distribution by Mahavitaran, which is the largest electricity distribution utility in the country, is expected to have a significant impact, particularly on the agricultural sector. The deployment of advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) service providers is nearing finalization. Although the State Electricity Regulatory Commission approved this transition a while ago, it had not been put into action.
Nevertheless, the state government is now taking steps to turn this plan into reality. There’s a proposal to allow consumers the choice to adopt the smart meter or stick with the conventional one. However, an automatic power disconnection feature would be standard for all those who fail to pay their bills. This change is likely to come as a shock to farmers, as the cost of each smart meter is Rs. 2600, which could place a burden on them.
