Protest in Amalapuram demands rollback of smart meters, SECI pact
By Doruvu Paul Jagan Babu: Assistant Chief Editor
Andhra Pradesh: Amalapuram witnessed strong protests on Tuesday as multiple trade unions and public associations united to demand cancellation of the SECI agreement and to oppose the mounting electricity burden on people due to smart meters and true-up charges. Former MLC Illa Venkateswara Rao and leaders from CITU, AITUC, and Rythu Sangham led the agitation.
Smart meters a corporate conspiracy: Protestors
Addressing the gathering at the Electricity Department Headquarters, Illa Venkateswara Rao criticized both the previous and current governments for continuing corporate-friendly policies. He alleged that replacing old meters with smart meters is part of a broader agenda to privatize electricity distribution and favour Adani Group interests. Protesters argued that smart meters not only hike charges but also change the entire payment system, burdening people with prepaid models.
Policy shift without public consent
Activists claimed this is not just a technical shift but a change in public policy without people’s approval. The cost of smart meters—Rs 9,000 for single-phase and Rs 17,000 for three-phase—is being recovered in 93 monthly installments from consumers. Leaders said this would tie up around Rs 23 lakh crore in advance payments, exploiting public funds.
Betrayal by the new government
Rythu Sangham’s Dega Prabhakar said the previous YSRCP regime hiked electricity charges nine times, imposing Rs 32,000 crore burden. The present TDP-BJP-Jana Sena coalition promised to reduce charges but instead continued collecting additional amounts like True-Up and Fuel Adjustment Charges, amounting to Rs 15,485 crore and Rs 2,787 crore respectively.
Left unions warn of escalation
CPI’s Devarajendra Prasad, AITUC’s K Satthibabu, Rythu Sangham’s Kaarem Venkateshwara Rao and CITU’s G Durga Prasad criticized the government for reducing even the 200 units of free power given to SC/STs. They warned that this movement will spread across the state unless the smart meter installation is halted.
Call for united struggle
Retired teachers, farmers, and labour unions called on the public, employees’ associations, and Left parties to come together and intensify the fight. The protest concluded with a vow to continue agitation until the anti-people policies are reversed.
