Bhubaneswar: Odisha power distribution companies (DISCOMs) received 1,499 complaints related to erroneous billing from smart prepaid meters during the past two years, the state Assembly was informed.
Sharing this information while answering a question in the Assembly earlier this week, Deputy Chief Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo said all complaints pertaining to incorrect billing having been resolved.
The disclosure comes amid concerns raised by consumers in several parts of the state over power consumption patterns and billing under the smart metering system. While the government acknowledged the complaints, it also maintained that every reported case had been addressed.
Singh Deo, who also holds Energy portfolio, further stated that smart prepaid meter installation is continuing across Odisha, with significant variation in deployment levels between districts. Khorhda has recorded the highest number of installations at 36,744, followed by Ganjam with 16,304 and Kataka with 13,964.
Balangir district has so far seen the installation of 1,221 smart prepaid meters. Other districts with relatively low installations of the meters include Jajpur (606), Sonpur (576), Debagada (476), Nuapada (455) and Kendujhar (382).
However, the government did not provide a district-wise breakup of the billing-related complaints.
On power supply to agricultural consumers in Balangir, Singh Deo said the average daytime power supply to agricultural feeders in the district during the last irrigation season was 23 hours and 25 minutes.
The Deputy CM further said 5,419 agricultural pump-set connections were pending in Balangir district. Of these, 5,310 were pending at the consumer end, while 109 were pending at the TPWODL end.