Smart Meter Complaints Addressed by BEST

Why in news?

Brihanmumbai Electricity Supply and Transport (BEST) has launched a special campaign to address consumer complaints of inflated bills following the rollout of smart meters, including on-the-spot bill verification and check-meter installation.

Key points

1. 1Special redressal campaign 'Smart Meter and Billing Help Desks' set up across customer care wards.
2. 2Offers on-the-spot bill verification, on-site meter testing, and check-meter installation.
3. 3Response to growing consumer complaints about unexpected increases in electricity bills.
4. 4Smart meters record electricity consumption in real-time, eliminating manual readings.
5. 5Similar initiatives by Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Limited (MSEDCL) have also faced criticism.

Background & context

Smart meters are digital devices that record electricity consumption in real time and transmit the data to the utility provider. They aim to improve efficiency and transparency but can lead to issues if not properly calibrated or if billing systems are not robust, leading to consumer dissatisfaction.