On Monday, the Jorhat District Committee of the Raijor Dal, in collaboration with the Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) and local residents, organized a sit-in protest in front of the Assam Power Distribution Company Limited (APDCL) office. The demonstration was sparked by widespread public dissatisfaction with the recently implemented smart meter system, which many allege has led to exorbitant electricity charges.
Protest Highlights Rising Concerns about Smart Meters
The protest began early in the morning, with a sizable crowd gathering in front of the APDCL office. Protesters carried posters and placards with messages demanding the immediate removal of the smart meters and shouting slogans against what they termed as “exploitation” by the power company. The Jorhat unit of Raijor Dal took the lead in mobilizing the crowd, highlighting the impact of the new meter system on household electricity bills.
“We all gathered here today to raise this issue because people have been burdened with exorbitant bills from the smart meters. As a political party, it’s our duty to bring the issues affecting the people to the concerned authorities,” said one protester while addressing the gathering. Another protester added, “We demand regular electricity without any further delay; the people cannot be looted in the name of smart meters.”
The agitation also saw participation from various local groups, with many residents expressing their frustration over the sudden spike in their electricity bills. Several speakers at the protest voiced their concerns, accusing the APDCL of being indifferent to the financial strain being placed on consumers.
Memorandum to APDCL: Demanding Immediate Action
In addition to the sit-in, the Jorhat unit of Raijor Dal submitted a formal memorandum to the Chief Executive Engineer of Jorhat. The memorandum outlined the grievances of the local population and called for an immediate review and resolution of the issues related to the smart meter system. It emphasized that the smart meters have not only caused confusion among the consumers but have also led to a significant increase in their monthly expenses.
The memorandum further warned that if the problem is not addressed promptly, the party, along with the local community, would escalate their protests into a full-fledged movement against the smart meter system in Assam. “The implementation of this system without proper groundwork and consumer education has led to widespread discontent. If the authorities do not act soon, we will have no choice but to intensify our agitation,” a Raijor Dal leader said.
APDCL’s Response to the Allegations
In response to the growing unrest, APDCL issued a statement clarifying their position on the issue. According to an APDCL official, the charge per unit of electricity remains unchanged at ₹5.90. However, the introduction of four new billing slabs has impacted the final bill amount for many consumers.
The official explained, “The Fuel and Power Purchase (FPP) charge is currently set at zero, but it has been integrated into the unit charge, leading to some confusion among the consumers. The new slabs were introduced to ensure a more equitable distribution of charges, but we acknowledge that there have been some issues in its implementation.”
Despite these clarifications, the dissatisfaction among the public continues to grow, with many residents complaining that their bills have increased disproportionately since the installation of the smart meters. Several local media reports have highlighted cases where consumers have seen their bills double or even triple in a single billing cycle.
Statewide Protests Against Smart Meters
The protests in Jorhat are part of a larger wave of dissent against the prepaid digital smart meter system in Assam. Earlier, similar protests were held in Lakhimpur and Dibrugarh, with the All Assam Students’ Union (AASU) leading the demonstrations in both districts. In those instances, protesters also accused the APDCL of imposing an unfair burden on consumers and demanded a rollback of the smart meter system.
Assam is among the states that have implemented the prepaid digital smart meter system under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The initiative, aimed at improving the efficiency of electricity distribution, has faced significant pushback from various quarters. The implementation and supervision of the system in the state are carried out by the APDCL, with six packages under which the revamping has been done.
However, the rollout of the smart meters has been plagued by controversies, with many residents and consumer rights groups accusing the APDCL of rushing the implementation without adequate public consultation or education. The Jorhat protest is the latest in a series of demonstrations that underscore the growing dissatisfaction with the system.
Future of the Movement
As the situation stands, the Jorhat District Committee of Raijor Dal, along with KMSS and local residents, have vowed to continue their agitation until their demands are met. They have called for a complete review of the smart meter system and a return to the previous billing system until the issues are resolved.
“The government must take responsibility for the mess they have created,” said a protest leader. “We will not rest until the smart meters are removed, and the people are given a fair and transparent billing system.”
With protests spreading to various parts of the state, the pressure on APDCL and the Assam government is mounting. Whether the authorities will address the concerns of the public or face a more extensive movement remains to be seen. For now, the residents of Jorhat and other districts continue to await a resolution to their grievances.
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