Madhya Pradesh: The City Congress held a protest on Friday outside the DISCOM office near Daly College. The protest was against the alleged forced installation of smart meters in residential areas and the increasing number of complaints related to inflated electricity bills.
Party leaders claimed that citizens are being forced to adopt smart meters even though they do not want them.
The protest was led by City Congress President Chintu Choukse, who said that the existing meters installed in homes are working properly and people should not be pressured to replace them. He alleged that the electricity department is threatening consumers with accusations of theft if they refuse to accept the smart meters. He also stated that many people are receiving inflated electricity bills, far exceeding their actual consumption, which is putting a financial strain on ordinary households.
Choukse explained that when complaints are filed, the meters are sent for testing, but no follow-up action is taken. Meanwhile, if the bill is not paid, the electricity connection is disconnected, and a reconnection fee of Rs 300 is charged. He demanded that electricity connections should not be disconnected and no penalties should be imposed until the complaints are resolved.
After chanting slogans and demonstrating, the Congress members submitted a memorandum addressed to the Managing Director of the electricity company.
The memorandum demanded the immediate resolution of complaints related to inflated bills, incorrect readings, and the forced installation of smart meters. Several party leaders and workers were present during the protest and assured the citizens that the issue would be pursued further if immediate action is not taken.
