Chümoukedima, August 4 (MExN): The Chümoukedima Electrical Division has announced the discontinuation of the Single Point Metering (SPM) system for consumer billing across all village councils under its jurisdiction. This change comes into effect following the State Government's notification of the First Amendment Rules to the Nagaland Communitisation of Electricity Management framework, dated August 27, 2024.
Under the new amendments, the SPM will be relegated to a reference meter solely for energy audit and accounting purposes. “It will no longer be the basis for consumer billing,” stated Er Albert Ovung, Executive Engineer, Electrical Division, Chümoukedima, in an official statement.
All domestic and other consumers will now be billed exclusively based on individual smart meter readings. This is in accordance with the national mandate for 100% smart metering of Distribution Transformers and consumers under the Electricity Act, 2003 and related Central Electricity Authority regulations.
Installation of smart meters (under RDSS schemes) is being carried out free of cost
The Department stated that the amendments are designed to ensure accurate billing, substantially reduce Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses, improve revenue realisation, and facilitate better quality power supply through infrastructure upgradation.
The Electrical Division has appealed to all Village Councils, Gaonburas, Village Electricity Management Boards (VEMBs) and the public to extend their full cooperation during the installation of smart meters.
The Department of Power has issued a cautionary note to consumers, urging them not to be misled by incomplete or incorrect information regarding the new metering system. Official sources confirmed that the older SPM system, while useful in the past, is no longer compatible with present legal and technical requirements. Departmental officials are available at respective Electrical Divisions and Sub-Divisions to address public queries.
"The Department remain committed to transparent, efficient, and consumer-friendly electricity services while fulfilling mandatory national and State directives on smart metering,” affirmed the Executive Engineer.
