SHILLONG, May 23: The Federation of Khasi, Jaintia and Garo People (FKJGP) has asked the government to immediately halt installation of smart meters in the state.
The federation conveyed its decision to Power Minister, Prestone Tynsong during their meeting on Monday.
Talking to reporters after meeting Tynsong, FKJGP working president Dundee Cliff Khongsit said the government should first address all concerns over smart meters by holding awareness programmes before going ahead with the smart meter project.
“We are aware that most parts of the state suffer from network issue. The introduction of smart meters would not be feasible if there is problem of network,” Khongsit said, adding that the federation has asked the Power minister to install smart meters in government offices, official quarters, government-run public sector undertakings and industries on a trial basis before introducing it for domestic consumers.
“If there are positive feedbacks about the smart meters the government can introduce the same for domestic consumers,” he said.
Khongsit revealed that the minister had assured them that Meghalaya Energy Corporation Limited will deploy technical teams to various localities and villages and explain the benefits of the smart meters to members of the Dorbar Shnong.
“We welcome this move but MeECL should not go ahead with the smart meter project unless people accept it,” Khongsit said.
The FKJGP leader also disclosed that the price of smart meters has gone up to Rs 5,000 from Rs 3,750.
He said that they had asked the minister to ensure that companies approved by the Central Electricity Authority of India are allowed to participate in the tender to supply the smart meters.
“We also made it very clear that the tender should be awarded to the lowest bidder,” he added.
