Press Note of Maharashtra State Electricity Workers Federation dated May 22, 2024
(Translation of Press Note in Marathi)
Maharashtra State Electricity Workers Federation
(Affiliated to AITUC:-Reg.No.-4309)
Com. Krushna Bhoyar, General Secretary
kbhoyar1767@gmail.com.
9930003608
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Mumbai Press Note Newspaper Statement 22.05.2024
The Workers’ Federation strongly opposes the smart prepaid power meter scheme to be implemented by the Mahavitaran Company
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The Maharashtra State Electricity Workers’ Federation is strongly opposed to the decision taken by the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company (MSEDCL) to install 2 crore 25 lakh 65 thousand smart prepaid meters across the state. It has been decided to install smart meters without any discussion with the employees’ union before bringing the plan. The tender for installation of 52,06,982 meters in four zones namely Nagpur, Chandrapur, Gondia, Akola, Amravati has been given to Messrs. Matikarta and Messrs. Genus respectively. Since these private companies have got the contract for the installation of meters they are about to start a survey to gather information about, for example, Mohalla, Division, Area, customer’s meter location, feeder, etc. The Workers’ Federation has appealed to the employees of Mahavitaran that they should not in any way cooperate with these private contractors as they are about to start a survey for information. It is not the responsibility of the employees of Mahavitaran to do this work.
Far-reaching impact of smart meter scheme on electricity consumers
The Workers Federation is of the firm opinion that smart prepaid meters are a decision to move towards privatization in the electricity industry. Two and a half crore meters owned by the Mahavitaran company will be scrapped due to the installation of smart meters and the financial burden will be passed on to Mahavitaran due to the increase in electricity rates. These steps are being taken by the central and state governments for the smart meter scheme of the industrialists under the cute name of ‘reforms in the electricity sector’ and ‘consumer interest’. The organization strongly believes that it is in the interest of private industrialists in the power sector and to privatize the sector. By equipping all the infrastructures, installing smart meters and making all areas of Mahavitaran extremely profitable, the government is adopting this easy way to sell the public assets of Mahavitaran to corporate companies like Adani, Ambani and Torrent at throwaway prices.
16000 crore rupees will be recovered from the electricity consumers.
Under the smart meter scheme and Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, 40 percent of the amount will have to be raised by the Mahavitaran Company as a loan in Maharashtra and Mahavitaran will also have to bear the burden of interest on it. The interest amount along with the principal of Rs. 16,000 crore will be included in electricity tariff hike proposal in 2024 and will be recovered from electricity consumers through their increased bills. Through smart meters, electricity consumers in Maharashtra will have to bear the brunt of the electricity tariff hike under the smart meter scheme.
20000 permanent workers affected by smart meter scheme
Those providing all the following services like meter reading, maintaining the electricity billing system, all employees of billing department, those collecting electricity payments, distributing electricity bills, collecting electricity bills, disconnecting electricity, starting interrupted electricity supply, doing meter testing, attending fuse calls in Mahavitaran company and all cash collectors working at private cash collection centers amount to at least 20000 employees. All these employees will be unemployed due to this scheme. Therefore, the Workers’ Federation has appealed to the employees and junior engineers that they should not cooperate with the contractor of this scheme and the officials of Mahavitaran, who are praising the smart meter scheme, because this is not their work and responsibility.
The opposition of the trade union alone will not stop this.
This smart meter scheme which will lead to privatization of a public industry, electricity price hike, inflation, impact on the number of workers and will adversely affect customer service, will not be stopped due to the opposition of the trade union alone. That is why the Maharashtra State Electricity Workers’ Federation appeals to all the electricity consumers’ associations, social organizations, political parties and citizens of Maharashtra to collectively raise a movement to oppose and defeat this scheme as it is against the public interest.
Yours faithfully,
Comrade Mohan Sharma, President
Comrade Krushna Bhoyar, General Secretary
Maharashtra State Electricity Workers Federation
9930003608