The Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) has directed agencies installing smart meters to complete the mandatory installation of 5% check meters within 15 days, warning that payments for ongoing work will be withheld if they fail to meet the target.
Check meters will be installed at locations where consumers report unusually high electricity consumption or abnormal bills after smart meter installation. These meters will remain in place for at least three months, with monthly readings compared against smart meter data.
Any discrepancies found will be corrected.Under the Centre’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), MSEDCL has launched one of the state’s largest smart meter replacement drives, with over 1.25 crore smart meters already installed across Maharashtra.
As per Union Ministry of Power guidelines, agencies must install check meters equal to at least 5% of the total smart meters installed.In the Nagpur region, covering Nagpur, Chandrapur and Gondia circles, around 4,000 locations have already been equipped with both smart and check meters. The installation drive is now being accelerated.
MSEDCL said progress on check meter installation has remained slow despite repeated instructions. During a recent review meeting, officials warned that failure to achieve the 5% target could affect Maharashtra’s eligibility for financial assistance under RDSS.
The Power Finance Corporation (PFC) has also asked utilities to submit reports on check meter installations and energy accounting on RDSS feeders.
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