The Kashmir Pulse

SRINAGAR — Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) on Thursday said that there was no alternative to the installation of smart electricity meters and that the meters will be installed across Kashmir.

The statement comes amid protests by consumers against the installation of smart meters in their respective areas.

While talking to the news agency KNO, Chief Engineer, KPDCL, Javed Yousuf Dar, said that the ongoing project of smart meters installation in Srinagar and other parts of Kashmir will not be in vain. “Smart meters have to be installed today, as well as in the future,” he said.

“As you have witnessed, protests have occurred in the past, but nothing significant resulted from them, and ultimately, the smart meters were installed,” he said.

When discussing the features of smart meters, he mentioned that “there is no difference between smart meters and regular meters, except for one additional feature: providing consumers with automatic readings on their mobile phones or other smart devices,” he added.

While addressing concerns about flat rates in the downtown area, he clarified, “There is no such thing, and just like in other places, smart meters will also be installed in Downtown as well as throughout Kashmir."

PULWAMA — Residents of Malikpora area in the main town Pulwama on Wednesday continued to protest for the second consecutive day against the installation of smart meters by the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited.

The protestors blocked Pulwama-Kakapora road near Khar bridge and demanded that the installation of smart meters should be stopped and those installed should be removed. Protesters warned that if the government didn’t withdraw its decision, every resident of the area would come on the road to protest against the same.

The protesters said, “We hardly earn Rs 200 to 250 per day, how can we afford hefty electricity bills? Only lower middle class reside in this area. The government must rethink before putting one more burden on us.”

The protesters said their families were not in a position to pay the “excessive bills” generated by the devices, so would not allow the department to install the smart meters in their area. “We already have meters installed in our homes and we are paying regular bills. What is the fun of installing new meters?” a protestor asked.

“Owing to the skyrocketing prices of essentials, our family budget is already stressed and we won’t be able to meet the additional expenses,” said another lady, adding, “Unemployment is at its peak. We have to pay water fee, electricity fee, now property tax and other fees, how can we afford all this.”

“No one is rich enough to afford the enormous electricity costs. If meters are installed, we will be unable to afford the bills. We are poor families here, and the majority of our men are daily wagers,” said another protester.

The protesters said that the COVID-19 and uncertain situation in Kashmir had affected the life of a common man who isn't in a condition to bear the extra brunt.

The protesters, mainly women, appealed to Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to remove the newly installed smart electric meters in the area as the locality cannot afford the high tariff.

Meanwhile, protestors were later pacified by police who assured them that their genuine demands will be taken up with the concerned department.

The process of installing smart meters began in December 2020 to control electricity thefts. The Jammu and Kashmir Government has set the target of installing four lakh smart meters in union territory by 2023.

PULWAMA — Local women took to the roads on Tuesday and held a protest against the installation of smart meters in Malikpora area of south Kashmir's Pulwama town.

The women congregated on a major Pulwama-Kakapora road to protest the installation of the latest electricity meters. Consequently, the traffic movement was halted.

"Since we come from a middle-class background, we cannot afford to pay for the meters. We insist that the meters be withdrawn from our areas and neighbourhoods where they have already been installed," a woman protester said, without identifying herself.

Another protester argued, "We belong to middle-class families and have limited sources of income. We currently receive an electricity bill in the range of Rs 800 to Rs 950 per month, but we are willing to accept a flat-rate bill of Rs 1100. But these meters ought to be uninstalled and not put to use."

The protesters requested that all the existing, installed electricity meters be uninstalled and that no new meters be put in. "We hope that our pleas find an ear among the union territory administration officials," the protesters pleaded.

Later, policemen including SHO Pulwama visited the spot and tried to pacify the protesters. Also, traffic movement was restored soon afterwards.