KUNAL SHRIVATSA
JAMMU, Aug 13: Despite widespread protests by consumers over the installation of smart electricity meters, the Union Territory administration, it seems, is in no mood to relent as it has adopted a tough posture on the issue.
The order to deploy Tehsildars to provide Magistrial and Police support for installation of smart meters issued in this regard by the Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Srinagar has made the intention of the authorities quite clear.
The directive of the two DCs came in the face of ongoing protests by local residents of Jammu and Srinagar expressing concerns about the introduction of smart electricity meters. The deployment of magistrates, working in tandem with the police, is intended to address these concerns and facilitate the orderly installation of the new smart meters.
The DCs and District Magistrates of Jammu and Srinagar have issued an order requiring respective Tehsildars of District Jammu and Srinagar to provide magisterial support during the installation of smart electricity meters within their jurisdictions. These Tehsildars will collaborate closely with the respective Superintendents of Police in their zones, ensuring seamless magisterial assistance during the installation process.
This directive is aimed to foster better coordination and cooperation between administrative and police authorities while it will also be utilized to curb any protest. Meanwhile, the Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (JPDCL) for the very first time came forward yesterday to clear certain doubts of the consumers with regard to the installation of smart electricity meters. In an interaction with the media persons, Chief Engineer (Distribution), JPDCL, Sandeep Seth dispelled fears of overcharging by the power supplier and sought the cooperation of the people in completing the project. Seth outrightly dismissed the theory of overcharging through smart meters and termed it as propaganda to mislead the people.He said that the smart meters are for the benefit of the public as these are highly accurate and require no human intervention for its reading and billing. It is to be mentioned here that Jammu as well as Srinagar cities and their adjoining areas have been witnessing large scale protests by locals almost on a daily basis in different localities against the installation of smart meters. Almost all opposition parties, including Congress, National Conference, PDP, Democratic Progressive Azad Party (DPAP), National Panthers Party (NPP) and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) have also extended their support to the protesting people and also organized several protests over the past two weeks. However, it needs to be seen that attempts made by the JPDCL and Srinagar Power Distribution Corporation Limited to allay the fears of electricity consumers will bear some fruits or will such bids made by them remain as a futile exercise. At the same time it has also to be seen that the orders of deploying Tehsildars while installing smart meters issued by the DCs of Jammu and Srinagar could stop people from protesting.
