The controversy over installing smart electricity meters across Maharashtra is intensifying.
The Nagpur bench of the Bombay High Court is hearing the matter, having noted the government’s stance, while the state government separately clarified its position in the Legislative Assembly. Meanwhile, various worker unions, consumer groups and social organisations continue to oppose the scheme.
The state launched the smart meter rollout to modernise electricity distribution, curb power theft, ensure accurate billing, and enable remote meter management. However, consumer groups, worker unions and social organisations have raised objections, fearing the move will burden consumers financially, introduce a prepaid system, and create hardships for ordinary users. The government has rejected these claims.
Hearing petitions against the scheme, the Nagpur bench took note of the government’s stand and, after hearing arguments from both sides, kept the matter pending for further hearing since it involves substantial questions of law. The court has not yet ordered scrapping the scheme or halting its implementation statewide, so the legal process continues.
In the Assembly, the government clarified that smart meters are being rolled out under the centrally sponsored Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), aimed at giving consumers real-time usage data and improving billing accuracy, denying any intent to burden consumers financially.
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