Karnataka High Court stays mandatory installation of smart meters

Bengaluru: The High Court of Karnataka on Friday passed an interim order of stay restraining Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) and the state government from mandatory implementation of smart meters as opposed to the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (Pre-paid smart metering) Regulations, 2024. 

The order was passed on a petition filed by M Jayalakshmi, a resident of
Doddaballapur town, who challenged a Bescom communication calling upon her to pay Rs 8,900 for installation of smart meters. 

The petitioner’s advocate stated that in Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, the installation of smart meters costs
only Rs 900, while it is Rs 8,900 in Karnataka.

Further, the entire scheme is outsourced, he submitted. 

To this submission, the court orally asked if this was a problem that arose due to giving freebies.

“Who asked for free electricity? This (smart meter installation cost) should have been reduced. And you have outsourced it. This is dangerous. You are quenching all the poor people. Where should the poor go?” Justice M Nagaprasanna asked the government advocate. 

Appearing for the petitioner, senior advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi submitted that the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) states that smart meters are optional, except in temporary connections. However, Bescom has made it mandatory.

He further said that the petitioner has a permanent installation and on March 29, 2025, she had submitted a requisition for converting single phase meter connection to three phase meter connection to her house located at TB Narayanappa Layout. 

“The installation of a meter that would cost Rs 2,000 generally in the state of Karnataka is now costing RS 8,910, which is a huge burden on the consumer. Senior counsel would contend that in the neighbouring states, on the same pre-paid meter to be installed, the amount charged is Rs 900. Therefore, the disparity of the same kind of meter from state to state is Rs 900 to 8,900. Senior counsel would further seek to contend that since the meter process is now outsourced to private agencies, the measures of implementation of the installation of
smart prepaid meters after having made it mandatory would be harsh. For all the aforesaid reasons, there shall be an interim order of stay as prayed for,” Justice Nagaprasanna said. 

The court ordered notice to the state government and Bescom and adjourned the hearing until June 4, 2025.