State Halts Prepaid Smart Meters; Power Minister Confirms Postpaid Transition Amid Protests

Baby Chakravarta, KalimNews, Kolkata, June 11, 2025 : Amid growing public unrest over inflated electricity bills linked to smart meters, West Bengal Power Minister Arup Biswas addressed the issue in the state assembly on Wednesday, offering clarity on the government's stance. He stated that while smart meters had already been installed in several rural households, the state has now officially stopped further installation.

The controversy stems from consumer complaints, with many alleging that their monthly electricity bills have unexpectedly surged to as high as ₹12,000. This has sparked widespread protests and calls for government intervention. On Tuesday, the state government responded by declaring that no new smart meters would be installed.

Taking the issue further in the assembly, Minister Arup Biswas criticized the central government, stating that the installation of smart meters was "imposed by force." However, he assured the house that West Bengal had discontinued the rollout and is taking steps to protect consumers.

Importantly, for households where smart meters have already been installed, the minister clarified that these meters will now operate as standard postpaid meters instead of the prepaid system initially implemented. This transition will take effect three months after the date of each meter’s installation.

The decision marks a significant policy shift amid increasing pressure from consumers and opposition parties, offering some relief to affected households as the state moves to stabilize the billing system and restore public trust.