Kerala govt going for controversial smart meter deal; similar to AI camera fraud

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The government is turning back pages of the AI camera deal to do a similar deal with the smart meter installment initiated by KSEB. As it goes, the government looks to give subcontracts to private companies and thereby do a similar reap of crores as seen in the AI camera deal. If the ill deal in AI camera happened in the veneer of Keltron, for smart meters, it is C-DAC.

C-DAC wants the smart meters project to happen through SPV(special purpose vehicle). A formal request has been passed to the central government citing the same. According to central government norms, the contract should go to an empaneled firm that will build the smart meters in the Totex model.

The government earlier appointed an expert committee led by the digital university vice-chancellor to study the smart meter deals. The committee found it cumbersome for C-DAC to complete the smart meter installation in the state. The government is shrouding this detail and is moving ahead seeking approval from Delhi.

Meanwhile, the workers union in KSEB strongly opposes the move and fears a private enterprise takeover of the state electricity department as the company reaching the contract can easily acquire the personal details of consumers.

The central government has previously warned about rejecting the grant allowed for Kerala if the state fails to call tender before the date of June 15th. The total cost of the smart meter project is Rs 8200 crore.