Prof GT Thong
Kohima
Of late, there has been much hullabaloo over installation of the new prepaid meter boxes in Kohima and Dimapur. The main reason for the apprehension is ignorance on the part of the consumers. Moreover, some know-it-alls, who know nothing at all, have added fuel to the fire by their false narratives. Concerned officers of the Power Department have tried to allay our fears by explaining in detail the benefits of the new system, but most of us are still not convinced. Of course, most may not have read the notices of the Power Department. We (my family) too were very apprehensive and did not want the new meter boxes. However, the young men assigned by the company to install them informed us that this Government-of-India-initiative is mandatory, so we reluctantly complied.
As soon as our prepaid meter boxes were installed on April 27, 2021, my family started the good practice of immediately conserving energy in a big way by putting off unnecessary lights, appliances, etc. This was mainly for fear of huge expenses. However, we decided to monitor our power consumption, which continued regularly. Our findings were quite astonishing. Comparative analyses in the following tables will help explain.
Meter Box A
|
Post-paid Meter System (January to December 2020) |
Prepaid Meter System (May 2021 to March 2022) |
||
|
Minimum |
Rs 437/- |
Total recharged |
Rs 7,000/- |
|
Maximum |
Rs 2,619/- |
Balance as on date |
Rs 1,147/- |
|
|
|
Total consumption |
Rs 5,853/- |
|
Monthly average |
Rs 1,255/- |
Monthly average |
Rs 532/- |
*Meter Box A is a power line that feeds all our electrical appliances. The above table shows very high monthly savings in the new system. Our family good-practice has definitely contributed some, but not in a major way.
Meter Box B
|
Post-paid Meter System (January to December 2020) |
Prepaid Meter System (May 2021 to March 2022) |
||
|
Minimum |
Rs 230/- |
Total recharged |
Rs 1,000/- |
|
Maximum |
Rs 452/- |
Balance as on date |
Rs 343/- |
|
|
|
Total consumption |
Rs 657/- |
|
Monthly average |
Rs 262/- |
Monthly average |
Rs 60/- |
*Meter Box B is a domestic line used only for lighting of my annex, a part of the house rarely used. In the old system, even if no electricity is consumed, a minimum bill of Rs 230 is payable. The table for prepaid meter system (Meter Box B) shows that one pays only for what one consumes; nothing more, nothing less!
Therefore, fellow citizens, please do not fear the new system (hopefully, no defective meter boxes are installed). It is an initiative to remove all the ills of the old system. Our government was losing huge amounts of money due to various reasons. With the new system in place, our state revenue should improve. The new system should also instill good habits in us, which will help us grow with the times. Moreover, we consumers will pay less, which is only for the energy consumed.
