Minister of State for Power Meghna Sakore Bordikar on Friday, 3 July told the Maharashtra State Assembly that the installation of smart electricity meters is a legal obligation under Central law — not a matter of consumer choice — and urged lawmakers to stop spreading misconceptions that were fuelling unnecessary public alarm over electricity bills.

What Triggered the Debate

The discussion was initiated through a Calling Attention Motion moved by Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) MLA Bhimrao Tapkir, who flagged frequent power outages and growing consumer anxiety over smart meters in Pune. The motion opened the floor to a sharp cross-party exchange, with both Opposition and ruling-alliance legislators raising concerns about alleged billing irregularities and public resentment.

Opposition Allegations: Tripled Bills and Corporate Nexus

Nationalist Congress Party (NCP) MLA Chetan Tupe alleged that electricity bills had nearly tripled in households where smart meters were installed, and questioned whether an independent mechanism existed to verify meter accuracy. He also asked whether consumers would be given the right to choose their meter.

Congress legislator Nana Patole escalated the charge, alleging that the rollout was being outsourced to a major private corporation whose personnel handled installations in place of state electricity board officials. “These devices are inflating bills fourfold, disrupting household budgets. Under whose pressure is this entire exercise being run?” he asked. Patole also argued that the Electricity Act ‘is not God-given’ and could be amended to shield citizens from financial exploitation.

Shiv Sena MLA Nilesh Rane warned of a deteriorating law-and-order situation, claiming that disputes over smart meters were simmering in almost every legislator’s constituency. “On-ground officials are at risk of being physically assaulted. The data claiming low complaints is fabricated; ground-level officials are hiding the truth from the Ministry,” he charged, calling for an immediate pause in the rollout.

Government’s Response: Law, Data, and a Key Distinction

Minister Bordikar refuted the Opposition’s claims with statistical evidence, stating that smart meter installation is mandated under the Central Electricity Act of 2003 and the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Regulations, 2006. She said distribution companies are legally required to install these meters and have no discretion to skip the rollout.

On billing complaints, she cited figures from Pune: of 11,770 complaints received regarding fast-running meters or high bills, verification mechanisms found that only four complaints had factual merit — out of 9.74 lakh meters installed in the city up to June 2026. “The narrative that smart meters inherently increase electricity bills is completely false. On the contrary, smart meters allow consumers to benefit from cheaper power tariffs during daytime hours,” she said.

Prepaid vs Post-Paid: Clarifying the CM’s Earlier Assurance

Addressing a pointed reminder from Patole that Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis had previously assured the House that smart meters would be optional, Minister Bordikar drew a technical distinction. The CM’s assurance, she clarified, applied specifically to prepaid smart meters. The meters currently being deployed across Maharashtra are regular post-paid smart meters, which remain legally mandatory for all power distribution companies. She promised that any valid consumer grievances would continue to be resolved promptly.

What Happens Next

The debate reflects a widening gap between the government’s legal position and public perception on the ground. With 9.74 lakh meters already installed in Pune alone and the statewide rollout continuing, pressure on the government to establish a transparent, accessible grievance-redressal mechanism is likely to intensify in coming legislative sessions.