In a significant operational overhaul, the Jaipur electricity distribution company (discom) has successfully replaced nearly all defective meters across its 18 circles, a move set to transform billing accuracy and revenue collection. The utility has addressed a long-standing issue that plagued both consumers and its own financial health.
A Two-Year Drive Nears Completion
Over the past 24 months, the discom has replaced a staggering 2.78 lakh faulty meters. The drive has been so comprehensive that only 13,493 defective meters remain, all falling under the three-phase agriculture connections category. Officials have confirmed that these remaining units are also being replaced on a priority basis.
Chief Minister Bhajan Lal Sharma publicly applauded the achievement, congratulating the discom's engineers and staff via a post on the social media platform X.
Financial Impact and Rebate Burden
The financial motivation behind this drive was substantial. Regulatory rules stipulate a 5% rebate on electricity charges if a meter remains defective for more than two months. This provision had become a major source of revenue leakage for the utility.
The discom's statement revealed the dramatic financial turnaround:
- Rebates extended in FY 2022-23: Rs 9.41 crore
- Rebates extended in FY 2023-24: Rs 5.41 crore
- This burden fell sharply to Rs 2.04 crore in FY 2024-25
- In the current fiscal year (2025-26) so far, the loss has plummeted to just Rs 16 lakh
Discom officials are optimistic, expecting this figure to drop to zero in the coming months as the final batch of agricultural meters is replaced.
Beyond Revenue: Ending Billing Disputes and Improving Data
The benefits extend far beyond the balance sheet. For years, consumers with faulty meters received bills based on average consumption, a practice that frequently led to disputes, overcharging, and widespread dissatisfaction. The meter replacement drive is expected to sharply reduce such complaints, fostering greater trust between the utility and its customers.
Furthermore, average billing created a distorted picture of the discom's technical performance. It made accurate assessment of feeder- and subdivision-level distribution losses nearly impossible, hampering efforts to improve operational efficiency. The Rajasthan Electricity Regulatory Commission (RERC) had repeatedly advised utilities to eliminate defective meters to ensure better data accuracy and system management.
With authentic meter readings now being generated for the vast majority of connections, the Jaipur discom is poised to bill consumers accurately, collect revenues rightfully, and gain a clear, reliable understanding of its network's performance—a win-win for both the company and the people of Jaipur.
