Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited has purchased 1,44, 904 meters, to overcome the shortage it faced during the last year. By the end of March, 3.80 lakh meters will be made available.
The meters have been purchased in an effort to fulfill the promise made by the government to prvide power connection to farmers . The MSEDCL has actually issued orders for supply of 18 lakh single phase and 1.70 lakh triple phase meters. MSEDCL every year provide about 8 to 9 lakh new connection.
It has claimed that the meters have been purchased to facilitate meet the demand of new connections.
Meanwhile during the last year the consumers were compelled to purchase meters from open market. The growing demand had created shortage even in the market and hefty prixes were being charged by the dealers.
The meters actually are property of MSEDCL and it charges rent on it. The rent is mentioned in the electric bills issued to the consumers. It is not clear whether the rent will not be charged, if the meter has been purchased from open market or the money will be reimbersed to the consumers on production of bill on purchase of the meter from open market.