Chandigarh seeks police protection for installation of smart power meters in villages

The UT administration has written to the police department for providing security to the electricity department staff while installing smart electricity meters in Raipur Khurd and Makhan Majra villages.

Recently, some residents of these villages had opposed installation of smart meters. Apprehending threat to the lives of their staff, the electricity department through the administration has asked for police protection.

Sources said the department is likely to carry out the exercise next week. Recently, the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) had directed the administration to ensure faulty meters are replaced in a timely manner.

The JERC order reads, “The commission has taken a serious view of the fact that the petitioner (UT electricity department) is yet to ensure full compliance. The petitioner is directed to ensure that faulty meters are replaced in a timely manner in accordance with the Supply Code Regulations, 2018”.

Earlier, the department in its reply had submitted, “The replacement of defective or non-functional meters is a continuous process.