Gujarat Energy Minister, Kanu Desai said that prepaid billing customers will be given a 2% rebate on smart meters.
The installation of controversial smart metres was kicked off from the residence of the energy minister in Vapi.
Urging everyone present to avoid misconceptions about smart meter installations, he emphasised that the installation of smart meters is done free of charge. He said that through these meters, daily electricity usage information is conveniently available via a mobile application, providing precise data on power consumption.
Moreover, detailed information about smart meters was provided during the ‘Smart Meter, Smart Beginning’ programme organised under the Revamped Distribution Sector at the Vapi Industrial Association in Vapi on Saturday.
During the program, a demonstration of smart meters was conducted, explaining what a smart meter is, how it functions, the benefits of using a smart meter, the installation process, customer service centres, addressing misconceptions about smart meters, and providing accurate information on power usage through the mobile application.
Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Limited (DGVCL) Managing Director Yogesh Chaudhary said, “There will be no harm from the meter. There is no technical difference between the current meter and the smart meter.”
“Smart meters only have an additional communication system. It will give information about how much electricity is being used every 15 minutes,” he added.
“In the regular meters, there is a scope of human error in the meter reading done every two months, which will not be the case in the smart meter system. Also, the billing will be received on the scheduled date,” according to DGVCL MD.
Customers can get complete information about how much electricity they use every day by tracking it in real-time on their mobile phones.
They can control unnecessary electricity consumption. A proper track of distribution companies will be recorded through smart meters and there will not be any possibility of irregularity.