Gujarat Ministers Install Smart Meter Amid Protests in Saurashtra

Rajkot, Gujarat – After the implementation of the smart meter scheme in the state from 2024, there was widespread opposition to it and people also lodged many complaints with the electricity authority that they were getting higher energy bills after the smart meter installation. Faced with serious protests and opposition from the consumers, the Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Limited (PGVCL) has turned to the elected representatives to set an example by installing smart meters at their residences to gain the confidence of the general users in Saurashtra region. 

PGVCL sources said that about 2.53 lakh smart meters have already been installed in the Saurashtra-Kutch region out of the total 61 lakh meters. Currently, smart meters are being installed by PGVCL in 2000 places every day by giving seven days’ notice to the general public, but on the other hand, the consumers demanded that the smart meters be first installed at the residences and office-premises of the elected representatives. There are a total of 9 Member of Parliaments (MPs) and  38 MLAs from Saurashtra-Kutch region. 

Following the protests by consumers, Gujarat cabinet Minister Bhanuben Babaria and MLA Dr. Darshita Shah installed smart meters in their houses. 

Rajkot West MLA Dr. Darshitaben Shah on Monday installed a smart meter in her apartment. When asked about the smart meter installation, Shah said, “I had called the PGVCL office and asked them to install a smart meter. Today, PGVCL officials came to my Dharma Villa apartment on Race Course Ring Road to install a smart meter. Also, I request all my representatives and the common people that they should also install a smart meter”

In this regard, PGVCL’s Rajkot Circle Office Superintendent Engineer Bharat Rathod said that so far 77000 smart meters have been installed in Rajkot city. While the maximum 29000 smart meters have been installed in MLA Darsitaben’s area. 

“Darsitaben called us and said that she wanted to install a smart meter at her residence. So we have installed a smart meter at her house. The target is to install 6.50 lakh smart meters by March 2027” said Rahod

While Cabinet Minister Bhanuben Babaria had a smart meter installed at home three days ago, she posted on her Facebook wall stating, “a “smart meter” is  used for reading electricity consumption, equipped with modern features like communication devices and remote operation, was installed at my residence. All you citizens should also show awareness and install a “smart meter” and inspire others by cooperating”.