The Hynñiewtrep Youths Council (HYC) has reiterated its demand to keep the smart meters project in abeyance until the State government clarifies its pros and cons.
“We have opposed the smart meter project from day one and we will continue to do so until we get a clear explanation on the project,” HYC general secretary Roy Kupar Synrem told reporters after the meeting held with representatives of Dorbar Shnongs on the issue.
Synrem said that as per documents available with them, the Rs 263.24 crore project would have an adverse impact on MeECL which is already under debt.
Informing that the operation and maintenance cost of the smart meter project in Uttar Pradesh is only Rs 472 per meter, he asked, “If James Sangma said in the Assembly that the cost of smart meters will not exceed Rs 3400 then he should clarify why the Satnam Global Infra Projects Ltd, in the contract bid quoted the price to Rs 9,444 per meter and what will the extra Rs 6000 quoted by the Satnam Global Infra Projects Ltd be used for and who will be benefited from this additional amount.”
He said that the power minister should also clarify about the smart meter warranty and who will bear or buy a new meter if in case the smart meter is broken or spoiled.
“We also want to know where exactly are the places the government intends to use the smart meters and if these smart meters do not have harmful radiation,” he added.
He also questioned who will bear the cost of the SIM cards, GPRS, and other features needed in the smart meters and what guarantee will the government give that it will not increase the tariff years later.
While Power Minister, James Sangma admitted that the State government has to take loans from the central government to clear off outstanding debt of the MeECL, Synrem said, “The government now wants to take loans from the Asian Development Bank for implementation of the Smart meter project which needs explanation.”
Meanwhile, the HYC also distributed pamphlets to the public in Mawlai area on the advantages and disadvantages of smart meters.
