The government of Sikkim has planned to undertake a rollout of smart prepaid electricity meters, a reliable media report has said.
The prepaid metering activity will form part of the Centrally-sponsored Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS). The report said that so far nearly 37,000 single-phase meters (for residential consumers) and a little over 3,000 three-phase meters (for commercial and industrial consumers) have so far been distributed.
These meters will initially be installed in urban areas covering capital city Gangtok, Singtam, Namchi, Gyalshing, Rangpo, Mangan and Jorethang. Subsequently, prepaid meters will also be put in rural areas.
Prepaid vouchers, with value ranging from Rs.200 to Rs.30,000 will be made available to consumers through State Bank of Sikkim.
Under the revamped distribution sector programme launched by the Union power ministry, India has planned to install 25 crore smart prepaid meters by 2025 with an outlay of Rs.1.5 trillion.
Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd (PGCIL), it may be mentioned, is keen on collaborating with state governments to assist them in their prepaid metering initiatives. (Read more).
Featured photograph is for illustration only
