Furnish bills to prepaid consumers when requested: Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission to APDCL

By : Sentinel Digital Desk

| 5 Jun 2023 4:57 AM GMT

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Assam Electricity Regulatory Commission (AERC) has directed the APDCL (Assam Power Distribution Company Ltd.) to furnish bills to prepaid power consumers as and when requested.

The AERC issued this direction after hearing a petition (07/2023) filed by the CAC (Consumer Advocacy Cell) in the matter of the installation of prepaid meters on the premises of consumers by APDCL.

After the hearing, AERC ordered that APDCL furnish bills to prepaid consumers as and when requested. The bill, in addition to the amount of electricity consumed, shall also furnish the quantum of electricity consumed and other parameters as provided in a normal bill for postpaid consumers.

The Commission accorded in principle approval for the rollout of smart metering on prepaid mode, considering that there shall be no cost burden on consumers and no additional cost recovery to be passed on in tariff.

"While installing meters in pre-payment mode, APDCL will adhere to the timeline and other requirements," the AERC said.

The Commission agrees that consumer awareness, sufficient deposits, appropriate notice periods for disconnections, and addressing complaints of high bills are critical for the successful implementation of the prepaid smart metering projects and therefore require urgent attention and action. The Commission, after careful consideration of various submissions, directed APDCL that

(i) The APDCL shall develop and implement a comprehensive consumer awareness programme at sub-division level to familiarize consumers with digital payment options and the prepaid metering system, so that consumer can understand the options and become acquainted with the new system.

(ii) APDCL is also directed to submit a status report along with the implementation schedule for distribution transformer (DT) metering, feeder metering, etc.

(iii) The Commission also observed that, in view of the implementation of smart meters in prepayment mode, there is a need to amend some provisions in relevant regulations issued by the Commission. APDCL is directed to approach the Commission for amendments to relevant regulations.

(iv) A section of individuals is claiming the possibility of hacking the smart meters with pre-payment mode. The Commission directs APDCL to form a panel of independent experts to verify the claim. The report of the expert committee should be placed before the Commission within 30 days.

Also Read: All Assam Electricity Consumers’ Association (AAECA) oppose additional fuel charges

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