Union power minister Manohar Lal NEW DELHI: Flagging the widespread misconceptions about smart electricity meters among consumers, Union power minister Manohar Lal on Sunday urged power distribution companies to run a coordinated campaign to counter misinformation.“Farmers plan to hold a nationwide demonstration on Monday, demanding that the clause related to smart meters in the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, be scrapped. They are not aware what smart meters are or what impact they will have, yet believe they are harmful. Moreover, they don’t even have to pay the electricity bills because the state governments give the subsidy,” Lal said. He added that both the govt and discoms need to actively step in and explain the facts.Farmers held protests against the bill by blocking railway tracks across 19 districts of Punjab on Friday.Drawing a parallel with the initial resistance to electronic meters, Lal said only a fraction of consumers today understand the benefits of smart meters, making large-scale awareness and training essential to prevent fear and confusion from spreading.As per the government, the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to transform the existing market structure by rationalising cross-subsidy, promoting cost-reflective tariffs, and enabling direct procurement of power by industrial users. It seeks to dismantle longstanding barriers to India’s manufacturing competitiveness, making industrial power more affordable, reliable and responsive to market demands, while at the same time protecting subsidised tariffs for farmers and other eligible consumers. The bill is likely to be brought to Parliament in the ongoing winter session.Installation of smart metres is part of the Centre’s revamped distribution sector scheme, which aims to modernise the power distribution infrastructure, reduce commercial losses and improve billing efficiency. Of a total target of 25 crore, nearly 4.8 crore prepaid smart meters have been installed across the country so far.The minister was speaking at the closing session of a national conference on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the power distribution sector, organised by the Union ministry of power at Bharat Mandapam. The two-day conference showcased smart meter data analytics, integrated IT/OT systems and smart home automation use cases aimed at improving operational efficiency and consumer satisfaction across discoms.Touching on the growing influence of AI across sectors, Lal expressed a mix of optimism and caution. “Innovation brings happiness, but AI also creates doubts. We should not let our natural thinking power decline,” he said. While noting that India’s power sector has made remarkable progress over the past century, he stressed the need to keep moving forward with scientific thinking, efficiency and public awareness. “We must keep moving forward, resolving the challenges that come in the way,” he added.Lal also underlined India’s progress toward the target of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, but cautioned that fossil fuels cannot be phased out abruptly. Coal, he said, will continue to play a role in power generation until renewable sources become fully stable.About the AuthorAtul MathurAtul Mathur, Deputy Metro Editor (Senior Assistant Editor), at The Times of India, has over 26 years of experience in journalism. Based in Delhi, he has extensively reported on governance, policy and politics, offering readers deeply researched, data-driven insights into the workings of the capital. Known for his in-depth investigative reporting and compelling human-interest narratives, Atul brings clarity and context to complex urban and civic issues.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos“Unconstitutional Move”: PTI Hits Out at Asim Munir’s Defence Chief Appointment“Crew Safety Was At Risk…” Expert on DGCA’s Show-Cause Notice to IndiGo CEO“We’ll Strike Again If Needed”: Navy Chief Issues Stern Warning To Pakistan”Congress Destroyed Patel, Bose Legacies” BJP Lambasts Sonia Gandhi Over ‘Defaming Nehru’ Remark”World Saw What Happened To Terrorists…” Rajnath says Strong Borders Powered Op Sindoor successIndiGo Fiasco: Civil Aviation Minister Slams Rahul Gandhi’s ‘Monopoly Model’ RemarkWATCH: Newly Built NH 66 Stretch Collapses In Kerala’s Kollam; School Bus, Other Vehicles Trapped‘Nothing Wrong In It’: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor On PM Modi Gifting Bhagavad Gita To Putin’I Regret That…’: Congress MP Shashi Tharoor On No Invite To Rahul, Kharge For Putin DinnerGoa: 23 Killed In Arpora Nightclub Fire; Cylinder Blast Suspected, CM Sawant Vows Strict Action123PhotostoriesYour soul purpose as per your birth month; goosebumps guaranteed!10 best natural sources of vitamin C to boost immunity and health10 questions that surprisingly deepen emotional intimacyBigg Boss 19: From being praised for his calm gameplay to Salman Khan calling him ‘Superstar of TV’; finalist Gaurav Khanna’s journey in the show’Bigg Boss 19′: Friendships that stood strong this seasonBigg Boss 19 Highlights: Salman Khan to announce winner from Top 5 finalists Gaurav Khanna, Farrhana Bhatt, Tanya Mittal, Amaal Mallik and Pranit MoreColorectal surgeon shares 5 things she avoids to lower colon cancer riskBigg Boss 19: From opening up about his strained relationship with uncle Anu Malik, his aggressive fights to nepotism debate: A look at finalist Amaal Mallik’s journeyRaw amla vs amla juice: Which is healthier‘Bigg Boss’: Top wild card contestants over the years123Hot PicksIndigo Flight DelayPutin India VisitWorld NewsGold rate todaySilver rate todayPublic Holidays NovemberBank Holidays NovemberTop TrendingGautam GambhirThe God Slayer Release DateRohit SharmaMurali VijayAryna Sabalenka Net WorthTim PoolAaron RodgersVirat KohliJoe BurrowBengaluru News
NEW DELHI: Flagging the widespread misconceptions about smart electricity meters among consumers, Union power minister Manohar Lal on Sunday urged power distribution companies to run a coordinated campaign to counter misinformation.“Farmers plan to hold a nationwide demonstration on Monday, demanding that the clause related to smart meters in the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, be scrapped. They are not aware what smart meters are or what impact they will have, yet believe they are harmful. Moreover, they don’t even have to pay the electricity bills because the state governments give the subsidy,” Lal said. He added that both the govt and discoms need to actively step in and explain the facts.Farmers held protests against the bill by blocking railway tracks across 19 districts of Punjab on Friday.Drawing a parallel with the initial resistance to electronic meters, Lal said only a fraction of consumers today understand the benefits of smart meters, making large-scale awareness and training essential to prevent fear and confusion from spreading.As per the government, the draft Electricity (Amendment) Bill, 2025, aims to transform the existing market structure by rationalising cross-subsidy, promoting cost-reflective tariffs, and enabling direct procurement of power by industrial users. It seeks to dismantle longstanding barriers to India’s manufacturing competitiveness, making industrial power more affordable, reliable and responsive to market demands, while at the same time protecting subsidised tariffs for farmers and other eligible consumers. The bill is likely to be brought to Parliament in the ongoing winter session.Installation of smart metres is part of the Centre’s revamped distribution sector scheme, which aims to modernise the power distribution infrastructure, reduce commercial losses and improve billing efficiency. Of a total target of 25 crore, nearly 4.8 crore prepaid smart meters have been installed across the country so far.The minister was speaking at the closing session of a national conference on the use of artificial intelligence and machine learning in the power distribution sector, organised by the Union ministry of power at Bharat Mandapam. The two-day conference showcased smart meter data analytics, integrated IT/OT systems and smart home automation use cases aimed at improving operational efficiency and consumer satisfaction across discoms.Touching on the growing influence of AI across sectors, Lal expressed a mix of optimism and caution. “Innovation brings happiness, but AI also creates doubts. We should not let our natural thinking power decline,” he said. While noting that India’s power sector has made remarkable progress over the past century, he stressed the need to keep moving forward with scientific thinking, efficiency and public awareness. “We must keep moving forward, resolving the challenges that come in the way,” he added.Lal also underlined India’s progress toward the target of 500 GW of non-fossil capacity by 2030, but cautioned that fossil fuels cannot be phased out abruptly. Coal, he said, will continue to play a role in power generation until renewable sources become fully stable.
