Union Power Minister Urges States to Roll Out Smart Meters Faster

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal has urged state governments to fast-track the installation of prepaid smart meters in government buildings and residential colonies. Speaking at a power conference in Gangtok with Northeastern states, he stressed that these meters would help improve revenue collection and cut losses in the power sector, making it more efficient.

At the conference, Lal shared how India’s power generation has grown since 2014, with big gains in coal, hydro, nuclear, and green energy. He encouraged power companies to keep expanding but also to think about the environment as India works toward its net-zero emissions goal. Smart meters, he explained, are a practical solution that track electricity use accurately, helping power companies avoid losses and manage funds better.

The government is backing this effort through programs like the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and PM-JANMAN, which aim to fix power distribution issues and bring electricity to far-off homes. Lal believes starting with government buildings will show everyone how well smart meters work, encouraging more people to use them.

But it’s not all smooth sailing. In Karnataka, some politicians are upset, claiming the process to buy smart meters was shady and overpriced. They say the state ignored transparency rules, and the meters there cost more than elsewhere. Even so, the central government is offering financial help to states to keep the project moving.

Lal stressed that states and the central government need to work together to sort out these issues. With India focused on building a stronger, greener power system, smart meters are a big part of making that happen while keeping costs in check.