<p>Bengaluru: Bescom’s much-talked-about smart meters are effectively useless, according to consumers, who are fuming for not integrating them completely into the software after making the meters mandatory for new buildings and temporary connections.</p>.<p>Without integration into the system, these meters are as good as manual meters.</p>.<p>Representatives from the Karnataka State Licensed Electrical Contractors Association (KSLECA) said the meters are being installed without completely developing the required software.</p>.Karnataka High Court refuses to halt graft probe against Bescom engineer.<p>“It is like, I have purchased an expensive television but I cannot watch anything on it. That’s the situation of the consumers who have been made to pay huge amounts for the smart meter,” said C Ramesh from KSLECA.</p>.<p>Many consumers, who were forced to install these meters, said Bescom should have taken measures to finish all the backend works before mandating the installation.</p>.<p>“They told us that smart meters provide a host of features,” said a resident of JP Nagar who did not want to be named. “We can track consumption and such other details. But as of now, it is as good as a manual meter. If this is the case, why should we have paid so much more?” </p>.<p>Smart meters come with a communication system that offers a host of features, including remote tracking of power usage and details on power use patterns. If used correctly, Bescom can also remotely process power consumption and also alert the consumers on any failures.</p>.<p>Bescom MD Dr Shiva Shankara N refuted claims that smart meters were not completely integrated. However, he agreed that Bescom was yet to integrate it for the consumer and provide a user interface.</p>.<p>“The communication system is ready and we are able to remotely track the usage. However, we are yet to provide it for the consumers. It will happen in a phased manner,” he said.</p>.<p>Electrical contractors argued that the Bescom was not equipped to take remote readings.</p>.<p>“If they say they are able to record the readings, why are the meter readers still visiting the houses with smart meters? If they are confident that they have finished the backend work, we challenge them to prove it. We will provide the RR number of a consumer with a smart meter. Let them show the reading,” Ramesh said.</p>
<p>Bengaluru: Bescom’s much-talked-about smart meters are effectively useless, according to consumers, who are fuming for not integrating them completely into the software after making the meters mandatory for new buildings and temporary connections.</p>.<p>Without integration into the system, these meters are as good as manual meters.</p>.<p>Representatives from the Karnataka State Licensed Electrical Contractors Association (KSLECA) said the meters are being installed without completely developing the required software.</p>.Karnataka High Court refuses to halt graft probe against Bescom engineer.<p>“It is like, I have purchased an expensive television but I cannot watch anything on it. That’s the situation of the consumers who have been made to pay huge amounts for the smart meter,” said C Ramesh from KSLECA.</p>.<p>Many consumers, who were forced to install these meters, said Bescom should have taken measures to finish all the backend works before mandating the installation.</p>.<p>“They told us that smart meters provide a host of features,” said a resident of JP Nagar who did not want to be named. “We can track consumption and such other details. But as of now, it is as good as a manual meter. If this is the case, why should we have paid so much more?” </p>.<p>Smart meters come with a communication system that offers a host of features, including remote tracking of power usage and details on power use patterns. If used correctly, Bescom can also remotely process power consumption and also alert the consumers on any failures.</p>.<p>Bescom MD Dr Shiva Shankara N refuted claims that smart meters were not completely integrated. However, he agreed that Bescom was yet to integrate it for the consumer and provide a user interface.</p>.<p>“The communication system is ready and we are able to remotely track the usage. However, we are yet to provide it for the consumers. It will happen in a phased manner,” he said.</p>.<p>Electrical contractors argued that the Bescom was not equipped to take remote readings.</p>.<p>“If they say they are able to record the readings, why are the meter readers still visiting the houses with smart meters? If they are confident that they have finished the backend work, we challenge them to prove it. We will provide the RR number of a consumer with a smart meter. Let them show the reading,” Ramesh said.</p>