In the memorandum, the citizens expressed concern over the ongoing installation of smart meters and the manner in which consumers are allegedly being informed that such installations are compulsory. They contended that recent legal and policy developments at the national level indicate that smart prepaid meters should not be imposed on consumers without informed consent and adequate safeguards.
The memorandum stated that the Supreme Court of India, while dealing with matters concerning smart prepaid meters and consumer rights, has stressed the importance of consumer choice and consent in implementation of such systems.
The citizens further pointed out that the Central Electricity Authority has reportedly removed the earlier mandatory prepaid condition linked to smart meters, thereby recognising that consumers cannot be compelled into a prepaid regime against their wishes.
The delegation led by Sanjay Barde, a social worker from Mapusa also referred to a recent decision by the Government of Uttar Pradesh, which reportedly withdrew the mandatory prepaid smart meter system for domestic consumers and shifted over 75 lakh consumers back to the postpaid billing system following widespread complaints.
According to the memorandum, consumers in Uttar Pradesh had raised issues relating to technical glitches in smart meters, arbitrary disconnections, inflated billing, difficulties faced by senior citizens and economically weaker sections, and lack of transparency in recharge and billing mechanisms.
The citizens stated that similar apprehensions are being expressed by consumers in Goa regarding billing accuracy, privacy concerns, technical reliability, network dependency and the possibility of automatic disconnections.
They also claimed that several consumers were being led to believe that installation of smart meters was compulsory despite evolving policy positions at the national level.
Through the memorandum, the delegation urged the Electricity Department to publicly clarify that installation of smart meters is not compulsory unless specifically mandated by law. They also demanded that no coercive action, including threats of disconnection or penalties, be imposed on consumers unwilling to opt for smart meters.
The citizens further requested the department to continue providing conventional postpaid electricity meters to consumers preferring the existing system, conduct transparent public consultations before implementing any compulsory smart meter policy, and adopt a consumer-friendly approach similar to the one reportedly adopted by Uttar Pradesh.
Stating that public utility reforms must be implemented in a transparent, accountable and consumer-centric manner, the delegation appealed to the department to review the present implementation process and issue appropriate directions so that consumers are not misled into believing that installation of smart meters is mandatory.
