Protests mount in Amalapuram over forced smart meter installations

Andhra Pradesh: Amalapuram witnessed growing public unrest on Tuesday as several trade unions and public organizations convened a round table meeting to demand the immediate halt of smart meter installations, alleging betrayal by the ruling coalition and exposing what they described as a massive scam involving corporate interests.

In a meeting organized by Amalapuram Prajavedika at the local CITU office, leaders from various organizations including CITU, AITUC, Agricultural Workers’ Union, Tenant Farmers’ Union, and others came together to voice concerns over the mounting burden on electricity consumers and the imposition of smart meters. The meeting was chaired by CITU District President G Durga Prasad and AITUC leader Vasamsetti Satthiraju.

Allegations of betrayal and financial burden

Joint East Godavari District AITUC In-charge K Satthibabu and Agricultural Workers’ Union State Vice President Kaarem Venkateswara Rao accused both the previous YSRCP and the current TDP-BJP-Jana Sena coalition of betraying public trust. They pointed out that while the coalition came to power promising to reduce electricity tariffs, it had instead continued and worsened the financial burden on the public. The speakers highlighted that electricity tariffs had been hiked nine times under the YSRCP regime, resulting in a burden of Rs 32,000 crore. Despite promises, the current government continued collecting True-Up Adjustment Charges (FPPCA), imposing an additional Rs 15,485 crore for 2022–23 and 2023–24. Another Rs 3,000 crore was charged for the 2014–2019 period, and an additional Rs 2,787 crore has already been levied this year alone.

They criticized the continuation of the Rs 0.40 per unit energy adjustment charge every month, calling it unethical especially when the government claims a surplus. Trade and small industries, already burdened with a 6 paise to 100 paise per unit hike under the previous government, are now facing closures due to ongoing charges and stagnant incomes. The leaders stressed that while politicians trade blame, people are suffering. All major parties—TDP, BJP, YSRCP, and Jana Sena—were accused of being complicit.

Smart meters: A corporate agenda?

The leaders also launched a scathing attack on the push for smart meters, calling it a corporate conspiracy led by Adani Group. They alleged that the replacement of old meters with smart meters for two crore consumers is more than a technological upgrade—it is a strategic shift toward the privatization of electricity distribution. Under the new system, users would be required to recharge electricity like mobile phones, paying in advance, which could result in a Rs 23 lakh crore windfall for corporations.

They stated that the cost of the smart meters—Rs 9,000 for single-phase and Rs 17,000 for three-phase connections—will be forcibly recovered from consumers in 93 monthly installments. After that period, the meters would have to be replaced again, restarting the cycle. The hourly billing and differential rates based on time-of-use (higher at night and in summer) were also highlighted as additional layers of exploitation. Leaders warned that smart meters will be controlled wirelessly from corporate offices without any in-person verification, raising concerns about billing errors and invasion of consumer privacy.

Call to action against smart meters

The meeting concluded with a strong call for mass mobilization. Leaders urged the public to resist smart meter installations and join protests to be held in front of electricity substations on August 5 in Amalapuram, Rajolu, Kothapeta, Ramachandrapuram, Mandapeta, and Mummidivaram. They emphasized that the government would be forced to reconsider its decision if widespread opposition is mounted.

The protest leaders referred to a recent statement by the Power Minister, who acknowledged public resistance and assured that smart meters would not be forcibly installed in households. However, the unions remained skeptical, stating that only active resistance would prevent full implementation.

The meeting was attended by several notable public representatives including Pitala Ramachandra Rao, Nimmakayala Srinivasa Rao, K Bhaskara Rao, G Ramana, Ootala Venkatesh, P Muralikrishna, G Satyam, and K Venkata Satyanarayana. Together, they reiterated their commitment to continue the struggle against policies that they claim unfairly burden common people while benefiting corporate entities.