Indus Valley Times

By Nalini Sahu

Bhubaneswar, March 10: The Odisha government on Tuesday rejected allegations by opposition legislators that power distribution company Tata Power was forcing consumers to install smart meters, issuing exorbitant electricity bills and resorting to undeclared power cuts in the state.

The issue was raised in the Odisha Legislative Assembly through an adjournment motion moved by MLAs Ramachandra Kadam, Dr. C.S. Rajen Ekka, Ashok Kumar Das and Pabitra Saunta. The legislators alleged that Tata Power’s distribution companies were compelling consumers to install smart meters, inflating electricity bills and subjecting people to unannounced power outages.

Replying on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister and Energy Minister Kanak Vardhan Singh Deo, School and Mass Education Minister Nityananda Gond dismissed the allegations as “not based on facts.”

Gond informed the House that smart meters are being installed across Odisha by Tata Power Distribution Companies (TP-DISCOMs) in accordance with central and state regulatory guidelines. These include the Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020; the Central Electricity Authority (Installation and Operation of Meters) Amendment Regulations, 2022; and a notification issued by the Union Ministry of Power on May 26, 2022. The installation also follows provisions of the Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) Distribution (Conditions of Supply) Code, 2019, and an OERC directive issued on May 3, 2023 prioritising smart meter deployment.

The minister said the installation of smart meters is part of a nationwide reform initiative in the power sector. As of February 2026, around 5.8 crore smart meters have been installed across the country. States such as Maharashtra, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Assam have made significant progress in adopting the technology, he added.

Explaining the benefits, Gond said smart meters automatically record electricity consumption without human intervention, ensuring accurate measurement and greater transparency in billing. This reduces errors in meter reading and billing and helps lower consumer complaints. The initiative also aims to make power distribution more efficient while reducing technical and commercial losses.

Responding to allegations of irregular billing, the minister said electricity charges are collected strictly according to Retail Supply Tariff Orders approved by the OERC and based on the actual consumption recorded in consumer meters. The accuracy and quality of all meters are verified at accredited laboratories before installation, he added.

Gond further clarified that there is no provision for arbitrary charges and that all components of electricity bills are clearly mentioned in the monthly bill issued to consumers. In case of disputes, consumers can approach the concerned distribution company or the Grievance Redressal Forum.

Addressing concerns about outages, the minister said there are no undeclared power cuts in the state. Temporary disruptions may occur due to natural disasters such as floods, cyclones or storms that damage power infrastructure, but supply is restored as quickly as possible once conditions improve.

He also highlighted improvements in Odisha’s power sector since reforms in the 1990s and the privatisation of distribution utilities in 2020, noting that technical and commercial losses have declined while electricity supply hours have increased.

Reiterating that the allegations lacked factual basis, Gond urged the Speaker to reject the adjournment motion.