SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT
JAMMU, Jan 5
The Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited has extended a special offer to consumers for converting postpaid smart meter connections to prepaid in district Jammu.
To encourage consumers to switch to prepaid smart meters, the Power Corporation has announced a two percent discount on each bill for customers willingly opting to transform their connections.
As part of the ongoing efforts to combat electricity theft and strengthen revenue collection in Jammu and Kashmir, the power utility has been actively promoting the installation of smart meters. According to official sources, over three lakh meters have been installed in the region to date.
In contrast to the swift adoption of smart prepaid meters in Kashmir, resistance has emerged in Jammu, particularly against the conversion of postpaid connections. This opposition has prompted daily protests, causing disruptions in various parts of Jammu city and other districts.
In response to the public unrest, the administration is now striving to gain public consent for the conversion process. To this end, they have announced a two percent monthly discount on electricity bills for consumers opting to embrace smart prepaid meters. Additionally, the power utility has initiated awareness campaigns to educate the public about the benefits of prepaid smart meters.
Official sources highlight that the administration stands to gain significant advantages from the implementation of prepaid smart meters. The transition is expected to fortify the revenue collection system, as consumers would be incentivized to regularize bill payments promptly to avoid disruptions in electricity supply. Moreover, the utility assures that providing discounts will not cause any financial loss to the power corporation.
Presently, postpaid smart meter consumers in Jammu and Kashmir deposit their electricity bills directly to the Jammu-Kashmir Bank or through the bank’s app. The two percent discount incentive aims to motivate consumers to pay their bills directly, eliminating the need for bank transactions and providing a direct benefit to consumers.
As the administration navigates the challenges posed by the opposition to the conversion process, the implementation of prepaid smart meters remains crucial for streamlining the electricity distribution system and ensuring sustainable revenue generation.
