Bhai Virendra alleged Nitish Kumar is turning a blind eye to smart meters, discoms are charging 3 times higher.

Patna November 28, 2024: The winter session of the Bihar assembly has become a battleground over the contentious issue of Pre-Paid Smart Meters, with opposition MLAs led by RJD senior leader Bhai Virendra vehemently demanding their removal.

Legislatures of RJD, Congress and left parties have accused the government of turning a blind eye to the public’s grievances regarding these meters, which they claim are financially burdensome.

Bhai Virendra alleged Nitish Kumar’s government:

RJD MLA Bhai Virendra has been particularly vocal, alleging that smart meters are draining citizens’ pockets and accusing the state and central government of collusion in a big deal to implement the matter. The power distribution companies are charging three times higher.

“The smart meters are deeply hurting people financially due to higher electricity bills and operational challenges for ordinary citizens. The state and central governments are colluding in a corrupt deal over the smart meter project. It is casting doubt on the transparency and intentions behind the initiative,” Bhai Virendra said.

“The government is watching the spectacle, this will not be tolerated. We are against this policy and our protest will be more intense in the coming days,” Bhai Virendra said. 

Before the assembly session began on day four of the winter session, the opposition MLAs led by Bhai Virendra staged a noisy demonstration outside the house, chanting slogans like “Put the smart meter in jail” and decrying the government’s inaction on the issue.

They demanded an immediate rollback of the decision to install smart meters, claiming that the devices were non-functional and exploitative.

CPI-ML allegation:

CPI-ML MLA Mahboob Alam has accused the government of perpetuating a scam through the Pre-Paid smart meter scheme, claiming that electricity bills have skyrocketed—reportedly more than three times higher than before—since the smart meters were introduced.

“The Pre-Paid Smart Meters initiative is disproportionately burdening the common people of Bihar, particularly the poor, with inflated electricity bills. Such meters are being forcibly installed in the homes of economically weaker sections, disregarding their ability to pay the increased costs,” Alam said.

State government response on smart meter:

In response, Deputy Chief Minister Vijay Kumar Sinha dismissed the opposition’s protest as politically motivated.

“The government is addressing technical issues with the smart meters and argued that they provide electricity at fair rates,” Sinha said.

Taking a swipe at RJD, he quipped, “The oil of their lantern has finished, and the lantern has burst,” referring to the party’s election symbol.

BJP State President Dilip Jaiswal echoed Sinha’s sentiments, criticizing the Grand Alliance MLAs for their demonstration.

“The smart meters are reducing electricity bills and improving the system’s efficiency. These people are about to be finished; that is why they are creating such a ruckus,” Jaiswal remarked.

He reaffirmed that the government would not backtrack on the initiative.

Broader implications of smart meter:

The debate over smart meters reflects a deeper political divide in Bihar, with the opposition framing the issue as a symbol of government insensitivity, while the ruling coalition views it as a necessary reform.

As the protest continues, the government’s ability to address public concerns and dispel allegations of corruption will be critical in determining the outcome of this escalating controversy.    

Also Read: Tejashwi Yadav targeted the Nitish government on smart meters.

EOM.