Growing Protests Against Prepaid Smart Meters in Uttar Pradesh
Smart meters, sour politics: Protests against prepaid electricity spread in UP
The Indian Express
Image: The Indian Express
Protests against the installation of prepaid smart meters have intensified across various districts in Uttar Pradesh, India, as consumers express concerns over increased charges and abrupt disconnections. The situation has become a political issue, with opposition parties criticizing the state government ahead of the upcoming Assembly elections.
- 01Protests against prepaid smart meters are spreading across Uttar Pradesh.
- 02Consumers are concerned about higher charges and sudden disconnections.
- 03The issue has become a political flashpoint ahead of the Assembly elections.
- 04Opposition leaders accuse the government of corruption related to smart meter installations.
- 05The state government has paused new installations in response to the unrest.
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In Uttar Pradesh, India, protests against the installation of prepaid smart meters are escalating, with demonstrators expressing their frustrations in cities like Fatehpur, Agra, Aligarh, Firozabad, and Hathras. Many consumers view these meters as a coercive measure that leads to higher electricity charges and sudden disconnections. Protests intensified after automatic disconnections began in March, creating a political flashpoint as opposition parties, particularly the Samajwadi Party led by Akhilesh Yadav, accuse the government of corruption and fraud related to the smart meter initiative. Yadav questioned the integrity of the system, drawing parallels to the security of Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs). In response, Uttar Pradesh Power Minister A K Sharma defended the initiative, claiming improvements in electricity supply and dismissing allegations of inflated bills. Amid the growing unrest, the state government has paused new smart meter installations while power corporation officials work to address consumer grievances and clarify the guidelines surrounding prepaid billing.
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The protests reflect widespread dissatisfaction among electricity consumers, potentially affecting their monthly electricity bills and service reliability.
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