KSEB mulls installation of smart meters, consumers might have to make extra payment of Rs 9000

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: KSEB is planning to install smart meters in such a way as to impose a huge financial burden on consumers. As per the current decision, a customer will have to pay up to Rs 9000 for the installation of smart meters.

The CITU union has alleged that the director of the distribution department of the electricity board has a personal interest in implementing the project. The organizations have written to the Chief Minister stating that the project should be implemented only after detailed discussions. Although there is no opposition to the installation of smart meters, the current move by the electricity board management will result in an additional liability of Rs 7830 crore, the organizations have warned.

Ahead of signing the MoU with the Rural Electrification Corporation for the project, the energy department had held talks with the union leaders of the employees, but without a breakthrough. Meanwhile, KSEB Workers' Association, the only recognized union on the board, has also alleged that the director of distribution has a vested interest in going ahead with the project. The organizations also demanded that the discussion be held in the presence of the minister. CITU leader Elamaram Kareem, AITUC's KP Rajendran and INTUC's R Chandrashekaran have written to the Chief Minister requesting that the plan be implemented only after detailed discussions.