TFP Bureau, Raipur, December 11, 2025: The Chhattisgarh Congress on Tuesday accused the BJP-led state government of burdening electricity consumers through repeated tariff hikes, reduced subsidies and the compulsory installation of smart meters. Addressing the media, State Congress Committee senior spokesperson Surendra Verma alleged that the government is “looting the public” under the guise of power sector reforms.
Verma claimed that over the past two years, electricity tariffs have been increased four times while the benefit of subsidised consumption—earlier available up to 400 units—has been restricted to 200 units. He further alleged that if consumption crosses 400 units, all subsidies and concessions are entirely withdrawn, resulting in sharply inflated bills for households.
‘Smart meters running faster than normal’: Congress
The Congress spokesperson alleged widespread complaints from consumers that smart meters—now being installed across the state—are recording consumption far higher than actual usage. “People are reporting that smart meters are running much faster than normal meters. This appears to be a planned way to extract more money from the common public,” Verma said.
He argued that consumers have the right to know their true electricity consumption and that the existing provision for check meters was sufficient to address any dispute. However, the state government recently introduced a fee of ₹1,000 to ₹1,500 for installation and testing of check meters—an action that Verma described as an attempt to “cover up irregularities.”
“If a consumer complains about a faulty meter, the verification must be done free of cost. Imposing a fee is completely unjustified and intended to discourage complaints,” he said, demanding that the government immediately withdraw the newly introduced charges.
‘Smart meters imposed without consent’
Verma also accused the state’s power company of violating consumer rights by replacing conventional meters with smart meters without obtaining mandatory consent. “Electricity supply operates under a formal agreement. Consumers must be consulted before any change in metering, but smart meters have been forcibly imposed,” he said.
According to the Congress, the result has been an alarming rise in electricity bills—often several times higher than earlier average consumption—triggering distress among common households. Verma alleged that instead of addressing concerns, the government and the power company are “adamant” and attempting to hide irregularities by introducing additional charges.
Congress demands rollback
Calling the meter-testing fee an “unfair and anti-consumer decision,” the Congress demanded its immediate rollback and insisted that meter checks be conducted free of charge wherever consumers allege that smart meters are functioning improperly.
“The BJP government seems determined to extract money from citizens at every step,” Verma said, adding that the party will continue to raise the issue until corrective action is taken.
