Bhubaneswar: The Odisha government has announced a major reform in the power distribution sector with the decision to install smart electricity meters across the state. Under the new initiative, consumers using up to 2 kilowatts (kW) of electricity will receive electricity bills free of cost, providing significant relief to small and domestic consumers.
The state government has allocated a financial grant of ₹735 crore to implement the programme. As per the official announcement, households opting for smart meters will receive 100 per cent financial assistance, ensuring that consumers do not bear any cost for installation.
Officials clarified that existing non-smart meters will be replaced with smart meters free of charge, and no installation fee will be levied on beneficiaries. The move is aimed at improving billing accuracy, reducing power losses, and enhancing transparency in electricity consumption.
The smart meters will enable real-time monitoring of power usage, automated billing, and quicker fault detection, benefitting both consumers and power distribution companies. The government described the decision as a significant step towards modernising Odisha’s power infrastructure and strengthening service delivery.
The scheme has been officially notified by the state government, and implementation is expected to begin in a phased manner across urban and rural areas.
The Odisha government reiterated that the initiative reflects its commitment to consumer-friendly governance, efficient energy management, and digital transformation in the electricity sector.
-OdishaAge
