Kolkata: The state government has issued fresh guidelines to facilitate the transition of all state government offices to prepaid smart electricity meters, allowing departments, autonomous bodies and government-controlled entities to clear outstanding power dues either in a lump sum or over a period of 300 days.
Background of the Move
The move comes in the wake of a directive from the Union government mandating the installation of smart electricity meters in all government offices across Bengal. Subsequently, the chief secretary directed that prepaid smart meters be made operational across government establishments from August 1.
Finance Department Memorandum
In a memorandum issued by the finance department on Wednesday, the government noted that the West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Co Ltd (WBSEDCL) has begun the process of installing prepaid smart electric meters in state government offices across the state.
According to the order, all government departments, autonomous bodies and government-controlled entities under the state government will be permitted to pay any unpaid post-paid electricity bills that remain outstanding at the time of switching to the prepaid system. These dues may be settled either through a one-time payment or instalments spread over 300 days.
Implementation Timeline
The new provisions will come into effect from August 1, 2026. Government offices will be granted a 10-day window after conversion to the prepaid system for the initial recharge of their meters. The order further provides for a limited negative balance facility and ensures that electricity connections of government offices will not be disconnected during state government holidays or beyond office hours.
Union Government Directive
Recently, after a meeting with Chief Minister Suvendu Adhikari in Kolkata, Union Minister Manohar Lal said that the Centre directed the state government to install two crore smart meters in Bengal over the next 3-4 years.
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