Statement issued by Thane District Smart Prepaid Electricity Meter Opposition Committee
Formation of Thane District Smart Prepaid Electricity Meter Opposition Committee
Strong opposition to smart prepaid electricity meters by political parties, workers and public organizations in Thane
On January 4, 2025, a joint meeting of the Congress Party, Nationalist Congress Party (Sharad Pawar group), Shiv Sena Party (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray group), Communist Party of India, Shetkari Kamgar Paksha, Aam Aadmi Party, Communist Party (Marxist) and Dharmaraj Paksha (Rajan Raje), trade unions of all sectors working in Thane district, trade unions of electricity companies including Maharashtra State Electricity Workers Federation and Kamgar Ekta Committee was held under the chairmanship of senior labour leader Com. M.A. Patil. Representatives of 6 political parties and 45 trade unions were present in this meeting.
Hon. Devendra Fadnavis, the then Energy Minister and current Chief Minister, had announced during the monsoon session of the Assembly on July 3, 2024 that smart prepaid meters would not be installed for electricity consumers in the state. Violating the promise made in the Legislative Assembly, the process of installing smart prepaid meters has started in Maharashtra, including Thane district. Initially, the Adani company has started installing smart prepaid meters in place of faulty meters and for new power connections. The government is cheating the common people through Adani. Against this, political parties, labour organizations and public organizations in Thane formed the Thane District Smart Prepaid Electricity Meter Opposition Committee. This committee has decided to protest against smart prepaid meters.
What will be the impact of smart prepaid on electricity consumers, electricity employees, the general public and contractual and permanent employees working in electricity companies? Detailed guidance in this regard was given by speakers like Com. Girish Bhave, Com. Krushna Bhoyar, Com. Vishwas Utgi, Rajan Raje, M.A. Patil, Atmaram Vish, Com. Lileshwar Bansod, etc. All the political parties present announced their active participation in this protest.
It has been decided to print lakhs of leaflets and distribute them to reach the people about the impact of smart prepaid meters on electricity consumers. On Tuesday, January 7, 2025, at 1.00 pm, a joint meeting of all political parties, labour organizations and electricity workers will be held at the office of the Superintendent Engineer, Mahavitaran Company in Wagle Estate, to strongly oppose smart prepaid meters. After that, it has been decided to take out a huge march of all electricity consumers at the Thane District Collectorate.
