Archive · 22 Jul 2026
West Bengal CM Advises Against Forced Smart Meter Installation
The Chief Minister of West Bengal, Suvendu Adhikari, has advised the power department not to force the installation of smart meters on domestic consumers.
Instead, they should convince consumers that these meters will not increase their bills and will be beneficial.
The government is also focusing on recovering outstanding dues from commercial and domestic consumers.
Additionally, the state government has launched the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, offering subsidies for installing solar power generation units.
The government aims to install 1 lakh solar units in the current financial year, with additional subsidies for economically weaker and SC/ST consumers.
Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari advises against forced installation of smart meters for domestic consumers.
The government plans to install postpaid smart meters to address consumer concerns about increased costs.
The government emphasizes zero tolerance for electricity theft and illegal connections.
The state government has launched the PM Surya Ghar Yojana, offering subsidies for solar power generation units.
The government aims to recover outstanding dues from commercial and domestic consumers, with a focus on careful recovery from domestic consumers.
- Who
- Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari and the West Bengal government
- What
- Advising against forced installation of smart meters and launching the PM Surya Ghar Yojana for solar power generation units
- When
- During a meeting with power department officials and a program launch
- Where
- Vidyut Bhavan in Salt Lake, West Bengal
- Why
- To improve billing efficiency, reduce electricity theft, and promote solar power generation with government subsidies
Government Perspective
Consumer Concerns
Installation of Smart Meters
Government Perspective
The government aims to install smart meters to improve billing efficiency and reduce electricity theft. They assure that postpaid smart meters will not increase costs and will maintain the same billing cycle.
Consumer Concerns
Consumers are concerned about the potential for increased costs and the inconvenience of prepaid smart meters, which require advance payment and can disconnect service if the balance reaches zero.
Electricity Theft
Government Perspective
The government emphasizes zero tolerance for electricity theft and illegal connections, aiming to disconnect such connections immediately.
Consumer Concerns
Consumers may have concerns about the methods used to detect and disconnect illegal connections, fearing potential disruptions or unfair practices.
- Chief Minister
- Suvendu Adhikari
- Location
- Salt Lake, West Bengal
- Smart Meter Type
- Postpaid
- Government Subsidy for Solar Units
- ₹5,000
- Central Subsidy for Solar Units
- ₹30,000
- Total Cost of 1kW Solar Unit
- ₹50,000
- Additional Subsidy for SC/ST Consumers
- ₹5,000
- Target for Solar Unit Installation
- 1 lakh units in the ongoing financial year