Smartmeter installation. (Photo: DC)
KAKINADA: Dega Prabhakar, a state secretariat member of the Andhra Pradesh Rythu Sangham, has urged the state government to stop the installation of smart meters on domestic and agricultural power connections.
He argues that this move will impose a significant burden on consumers and farmers.
Speaking to the media in Eluru on Sunday, Prabhakar criticised the previous government's decision to enter into agreements with Adani and Shirdi Sai companies for the installation of prepaid meters on domestic connections and smart meters on agricultural connections. The Rythu Sangham had vehemently opposed these agreements.He pointed out that even when the Telugu Desam was in opposition, under the leadership of N. Chandrababu Naidu, they had expressed their disapproval of smart meter installation.
According to Prabhakar, the process will place a financial burden of Rs 4,486.93 crore on consumers. Furthermore, the previous YSRC government had already increased power charges eight times, adding an additional burden of `50,000 crore.
Prabhakar emphasised that the current NDA government, headed by N. Chandrababu Naidu, should immediately halt the installation of smart meters on domestic and agricultural connections. He highlighted the ongoing crisis in the agriculture sector, with one farmer committing suicide every 45 minutes due to debt and a shortage of pesticides and fertilizers.Unless the government reverses its decision, Prabhakar warned that left parties and their affiliated units would launch mass agitations against the smart meter installation process.
( Source : Deccan Chronicle )
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