Letters to the Editor: Prepaid smart meter problem
It is undeniably a fact that the newly installed prepaid smart meters are charging more than the postpaid meters as many consumers have complained of inflated electricity bills.
Prepaid smart meter problem
It is undeniably a fact that the newly installed prepaid smart meters are charging more than the postpaid meters as many consumers have complained of inflated electricity bills. The APDCL has already, in a press statement, refused to admit such a mistake in the prepaid meter. But a monthly increase of at least 25 per cent on energy charges has actually been noticed after the installation of prepaid meters. The AERC (Assam Electricity Regularity Commission), being the state regulator and vested with a wide range of power and having to regulate the cost of electricity for distribution to consumers, must take up the issue and find a remedy. AERC exists for name’s sake, while unaccountable APDCL squeezes consumers by extracting extra money every month. Apart from this, as per the latest figures, 2–64 crore domestic smart meters are operated in Assam, and most of the consumers have dissatisfaction. Why not our elected representatives, Member Legislative Assembly, give ear to this public grievance to find a solution to the problem?
Pannalal Dey,
Guwahati.
Amrit Brikshya Andolan
The Assam government is all set to plant over 1 crore saplings on September 17 under the initiative of Amrit Brikshya and is also eyeing to create and break some Guinness World Records on the same day. The saplings planted will be of commercial utility, which will bring in an estimated revenue of over Rs 5000 crore within 8–10 years, as reported.
Assam is fast losing its green cover; it had over 30 per cent of its area under forests in the early 2000s, but in these two decades, it has lost more than half of its green cover, which has also made the summers of Assam warmer.
These 1 crore trees planted in the next 2–3 years will have a positive impact on the climate of Assam. The government must ensure that these saplings are well cared for, as it is seen that such missions in the past have not been very fruitful due to the lackadaisical attitude of the administration. It is seen that very few saplings planted every year on World Environment Day survive to see the green foliage on them. So, let us not hope that these 1 crore saplings also have the same fate.
Noopur Baruah,
Tezpur.
