Arunachal gives go ahead for pre-paid electric meters

The Arunachal Pradesh government has given a go ahead to the power department to complete installation of pre-paid electric meters in the state capital as scheduled despite stiff opposition from various organisations.
Consumers in the state capital have opposed the Rs 84.34 crore pilot project and even damaged such meters in various colonies alleging that the charge of monthly electric bills have been drastically increased after installation of the new metering system.
"The state government has directed the department to install such meters first at Raj Bhawan and bungalows of chief minister, ministers, parliamentary secretaries, MLAs and top officials before installing at common people's residences," government spokesman Bamang Felix said while talking to reporters here today.

He said, the state cabinet in its meeting yesterday chaired by Chief Minister Nabam Tuki also decided to implement Electricity Act 2003 in the state.
"The government appealed to people not to obstruct the department officials while performing duties and anyone found doing so will face action as per the relevant laws," he said adding, consumers should not believe in rumours and wrong propaganda and they should contact the department for any clarifications and misgivings.
On the new system, Felix clarified that the project was launched in accordance with the Centre's directive to bring down the Aggregate Technical & Commercial Losses (AT&C) as low as possible.

"The state department of power has given commitment to the Centre to bring AT&C losses down to 30 per cent which is mandatory and reduction of such losses is the goal and compulsory criteria to sanction schemes under power distribution and transmission system," he said.
The project is part of the integrated power development scheme, he said.