‘Make meter purchase consumer-friendly’ – The Times of India
Chennai: The option for people to buy electricity meters on their own — an initiative intended to reduce long waiting period for meters supplied by Tamil Nadu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd (TNPDCL) — has failed due to impractical conditions imposed by the discom, the Tamil Nadu Electricity Regulatory Commission (TNERC) has said.
Many discom field officers are refusing to accept meters bought by consumers for new services or as replacements for faulty meters, claiming that the discom has sufficient stock of meters. Meanwhile, the limited number of empanelled vendors have started exploiting consumers by charging double the price.
There is a monthly demand for around 1.5 lakh single-phase and 50,000 three-phase meters in TN. Since TNPDCL reduced the volume of meter purchases in anticipation of the implementation of smart meter projects in 2023, it resulted in a long waiting period for consumers to get a meter even after paying for them. TNPDCL, in Feb 2024 said consumers could buy meters on their own.
However, it imposed many conditions. First, it said consumers could buy meters only from vendors empanelled with the discom. Second, vendors must sell meters that are tested in TNPDCL’s lab. Additionally, it said these meters would be tested again before being installed and that consumers could buy meters only when there was no stock at the respective section office.
The TNERC had directed TNPDCL to relax such provisions twice in the past, but this was not implemented. In the latest communication addressed to the TNPDCL chairman and MD, TNERC has been critical of discom’s non-compliance. “While no revised directions were issued to date by officers concerned, consumers still complain that their meters are not accepted for new connections or the replacement of defective meters. Both are in direct violation of Electricity Act and regulations, which empower consumers with option to buy the meter,” said TNERC.
Many discom field officers are refusing to accept meters bought by consumers for new services or as replacements for faulty meters, claiming that the discom has sufficient stock of meters. Meanwhile, the limited number of empanelled vendors have started exploiting consumers by charging double the price.
There is a monthly demand for around 1.5 lakh single-phase and 50,000 three-phase meters in TN. Since TNPDCL reduced the volume of meter purchases in anticipation of the implementation of smart meter projects in 2023, it resulted in a long waiting period for consumers to get a meter even after paying for them. TNPDCL, in Feb 2024 said consumers could buy meters on their own.
However, it imposed many conditions. First, it said consumers could buy meters only from vendors empanelled with the discom. Second, vendors must sell meters that are tested in TNPDCL’s lab. Additionally, it said these meters would be tested again before being installed and that consumers could buy meters only when there was no stock at the respective section office.
The TNERC had directed TNPDCL to relax such provisions twice in the past, but this was not implemented. In the latest communication addressed to the TNPDCL chairman and MD, TNERC has been critical of discom’s non-compliance. “While no revised directions were issued to date by officers concerned, consumers still complain that their meters are not accepted for new connections or the replacement of defective meters. Both are in direct violation of Electricity Act and regulations, which empower consumers with option to buy the meter,” said TNERC.
