Energy Minister orders probe into smart meter billing concerns

Amaravati: Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar has ordered a comprehensive field-level inquiry into the performance of smart electricity meters. This directive follows a surge in complaints from industrial and commercial establishments reporting increased electricity bills since the installation of these meters.

Responding to these significant concerns, Minister Ravi Kumar has instructed officials to conduct a thorough investigation into the meters’ functionality.

The probe will aim to verify whether the reported billing hikes are genuine or stem from technical glitches or procedural issues. He has mandated that a detailed report be submitted to him by Monday.

“We have received feedback that electricity bills are rising after the installation of smart meters,” Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar said on Sunday.

“I have instructed officials to identify the reasons behind this. The functioning of the smart meters is being closely examined and I want to assure everyone that no consumer will be burdened even by a single rupee unnecessarily.”