CPI (M) leaders stop technicians from installing smart meters in Ongole

Communist Party of India (Marxist) Ongole City Committee members have reportedly stopped the employees who were installing smart prepaid electricity meters in the houses when the owners were not available. The incident happened at Sundaraiahnagar Vaddivanikunta in the city on Tuesday morning.

According to the CPI (M) leaders, a group of technicians associated with Adani Transmission Step Seven Limited started installing the smart prepaid meters. Learning of it local leaders, including Ch. Srinivasa Rao, B.V. Rao, Ramakrishna Das and others, reached the area. They discussed with the locals, confronted the employees about the smart meters and stopped them.

Locals and CPM city committee members obstructing the electricity workers who came to install smart meters near Mangamooru road in Ongole on Tuesday.
| Photo Credit:
KOMMURI SRINIVAS

A smart meter is a digital energy meter that automatically records and transmits electricity consumption data to the utility company. AP Energy Minister Gottipati Ravi Kumar directed the officials to clarify the doubts of the people about the smart prepaid meters among public and take up their installation only after consumers agree to it.

“It is unfair to install smart prepaid meters without the consent of consumers and without explaining to them the risks associated with them,” CPI (M) city secretary Ch. Srinivasa Rao said. Later, he discussed with all the people in the area and explained the dangers of smart meters.

“The local people have publicly stated that they do not want smart meters in this area. As the State government is asking to install smart meters, these technicians are installing them at every house. We demand that smart meters must be stopped in the city immediately,” he added.

The CPI (M) leader alleged that the State government is trying to install smart meters just to give profits to Adani Group. Against this, a door-to-door campaign is being carried out in the city. He called on all the people in the city to participate in the protest to be held at Vidyut Bhavan on August 5.