By Neeraj Kumar
Patna: Tejashwi Yadav, the Leader of the Opposition in the Bihar Assembly and a prominent leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal, has launched a strong attack on the Nitish government regarding ongoing issues with smart meters and the resultant soaring electricity bills impacting residents throughout the state. Many consumers in Bihar are grappling with significant problems related to faulty smart meters, which have led to unexpected increases in their electricity charges.
In a recent post on the social media platform X, Yadav called for the NDA government to address the public’s concerns about smart meters. He remarked, “The Nitish-BJP administration is oppressing the people of Bihar by installing smart meters in a state with the lowest per capita income, resulting in doubled electricity rates and the sale of the most expensive power. Every Bihari is suffering due to government exploitation in the name of smart meters.”
Tejashwi Yadav pointed out that a staggering number of consumers believe their electricity bills have either doubled or increased by one-and-a-half times since smart meters were installed. Complaints have been pouring in from various districts in Bihar, leading to calls for the government to clarify the reasons behind these drastic changes.
The Opposition leader suggested that if each household is being overcharged by even ₹100 due to smart meter malfunctions, the Nitish government could be illegally extracting thousands of crores of rupees from consumers on a monthly basis. He emphasised that the smart meter issue is a household concern, demanding an immediate end to what he perceives as collusion among power companies, government officials, and ruling leaders.
Tejashwi Yadav further questioned the rationale behind the installation of smart meters, noting that there is no mandate for this from either the Bihar Electricity Regulatory Commission or the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. He queried, “For whose benefit is the government implementing this initiative?”
Highlighting the outdated state of Bihar’s electricity infrastructure, he stated, “Consumers claim that the meters are fast, while the government maintains that they are not. Who will determine the accuracy?” He called for the formation of an impartial committee to investigate these discrepancies, especially considering that only 50 lakh out of 2 crore consumers currently have smart meters installed.
The Opposition leader also raised concerns about possible connections between the government and electricity companies, questioning whether meter inaccuracies exist and if smart meters are being used in the residences of government officials.
In conclusion, Tejashwi Yadav’s criticisms shed light on the growing discontent among Bihar’s residents regarding the management of electricity billing and the effectiveness of smart meters, indicating a pressing need for reform and accountability in the sector.
