Dr Asangba Tzudir
The State government (Home department) has directed the Deputy Commissioner, Dimapur to implement the prepaid electricity meter system in the district. In addition to this directive, the order also warned that “strict and suitable action” will be taken against any Gaon Buras (GBs) who oppose the implementation of prepaid meters. The process of replacement with pre-paid meters will be taken up in a phase manner where 10,000 have been allocated and accordingly some areas/colonies have been earmarked for the installation.
The warning given to Gaon Buras of strict action in the event of opposition to this move shows that there are certain concerns. One of the concerns includes consumer choice where a consumer is being forced to switch over to prepaid. There are also concerns about reliability where consumers are doubtful about whether they will have access to electricity 24/7. There are also concerns about transparency regarding information available to consumers about tariff rates, consumption records, and other details. There are also opinions that the government is using the implementation of prepaid meters as a means to control the energy sector and potentially privatize it. There are also some practical challenges on the difficulty of usage and management, because of issues related to technology accessibility and also the payment process.
While we have our own experience with both pre-paid and post-paid mobile service, it has been the case that under the pre-paid mode there was self-regulation as compared to post-paid. Accordingly, in the case of the pre-paid meters also, prepayment meters can be a useful tool for managing energy costs having paid in advance, and also the fact that it will be much easier to avoid increasing electricity debt. The maxim ‘Energy saved is Energy generated’ will become more meaningful especially when one is in control of one’s electricity consumption and recharge accordingly. Knowing the electricity unit balance will also enhance control and thereby avoids unnecessary usage. To this end, setting a monthly usage limit and tracking daily consumption will be an ideal step. The Bharat Bijli Auditor will also provide real-time monitoring of electricity consumption, which will allow users to track usage pattern.
Prepayment meters have an ‘Emergency Credit’ facility which offers extra credit in case pre-paid credit runs out, and this will give time to top-up the meter before electricity is discontinued. Another advantage is that, prepayment electricity meters have a ‘Friendly Credit’ or ‘no-disconnect’ mode that operates at certain hours of the day, or night which is considered to be the most inconvenient times to be without energy. During such times you will not lose supply even if Emergency Credit has not been activated or it has run out.
However, it also needs to be known that prepayment meters are more expensive to operate than other types of meter and which will have a reflection on the rate of tariffs. Another concern will be topping up facility and its accessibility. Also, if prepayment meter runs out of credit outside of ‘Friendly Credit’ hours and your ‘Emergency Credit’ has been used or has not been activated, then electricity supply will be cut off. Under post-paid system, the monthly bills between summer and winters do not vary that much, however, under pre-paid system it will greatly vary. Having used to postpaid systems for a long time, adapting to pre-paid technology will not only be time taking, but it will be very important to have a proper knowledge about digital systems, appliances and energy usage, monitoring consumption and accordingly plan with care.
The transition to prepaid meters can be considered as a revolutionary step towards electricity optimization and usage. However, in consideration of the concerns and challenges, monitoring of the pre-paid system needs to be really effective, otherwise technological failure can be quite disastrous. As for the consumers, the pre-paid systems calls for adaptability while also being thorough about the pre-paid system.
(Dr. Asangba Tzudir writes a weekly guest editorial for The Morung Express. Comments can be mailed to asangtz@gmail.com)
