Assam CM Announces Re. 1 Per Unit Reduction In Electricity Bills

GUWAHATI: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma has announced an immediate reduction of Re. 1 per unit in electricity bills for domestic consumers in the state. The announcement has been made with a view to provide relief to consumers before the onset of summer, which generally witnesses a hike in power consumption.

In a post on X, CM Sarma reassured residents, stating, “It’s April – temperatures will increase but your bijli bill will decrease. Beginning today, families in Assam will see a drop of Re. 1 per unit in electricity bills along with a rebate at the end of the year.” He further added, “PS: This isn’t an April Fool Prank,” emphasizing the seriousness of the announcement.

Though most people welcomed the reduction, issues over the accuracy of smart electric meters continue. Opposition leaders such as Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi have expressed fears that the new meters are causing an increase in bills. In response, the state government has denied the allegations, clarifying that the smart meters were operating as expected.

Minister Pijush Hazarika rationalized the implementation of smart meters by stating that no complaints at large have been made by the public regarding their accuracy. He attributed the rise in the cost of electricity bills during the summer season to increased usage and not to any malfunction of the meters. Hazarika has also challenged opposition legislators to compare side by side at their residences the readings of two meters in order to verify their authenticity.

The announcement and the controversy surrounding smart meters underscore the intricacies of regulating electricity usage and billing in Assam.

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