Finance
The Odisha government has launched Phase I of the MMSBY Smart Meter Installation Scheme for customers with up to 2 kW contract demand.
According to Vishal Kumar Dev, Principal Secretary of the Energy Department, the project intends to benefit residential and small commercial consumers by offering full government support for new connections and the replacement of existing meters. Consumers in this category will no longer pay meter rent, resulting in no additional costs.
The government has approved a one-time allocation of Rs 735 crore for fiscal year 2025-26. Rs 428 crore will be utilized to install around 2.78 lakh new meters and replace 8.75 lakh existing ones, with Rs 307 crore covering the unrecovered cost of previously installed smart meters.
The scheme is expected to improve billing efficiency, minimize losses, reduce consumer complaints, and allow for improved power system planning using real-time data. It would also facilitate integration with rooftop solar and renewable energy projects like PM-KUSUM and PM-Surya Ghar.
The smart meters will be operated and maintained by state DISCOMs, while the Energy Department will retain ownership. Revenue from demolished meters will be reported as Non-Tariff Income, and DISCOMs must produce utilisation certificates to maintain financial transparency.
