Lok Sabha Question No. 4089 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-12-19
Subject: Installation of Smart Meters under SMNP
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Raja Ram Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4089 ANSWERED ON 19.12.2024

## INSTALLATION OF SMART METERS UNDER SMNP

## 4089. SHRI RAJA RAM SINGH:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) the  details  of  installation  of  smart  meters  in  place  of  old  conventional meters under Simple Network Management Protocol (SMNP) launched in 2014 with the target to achieve the same by 2025 across the country;
- (b) whether any study/assessment has been conducted regarding implementation of the scheme and if so, the details thereof; and
- (c) whether  the  Government  has  received  any  complaints  regarding  noninstallation of smart meters, electricity bills and recharge issues and if so, the details thereof along with the measures taken/being taken by the Government to address the said issues?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) to (c) :   Since  2014,  smart  meter  deployment have  been  undertaken  under various schemes viz. Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), Prime Minister Development Package (PMDP),  National  Smart  Grid  Mission  (NSGM),  Revamped  Distribution  Sector Scheme  (RDSS)  and  State  schemes.  The  details  of  smart  meters  installed  is placed at Annexure.

It  may  also  be  mentioned  that  Smart  Meters  use  DLMS/COSEM  (Device Language Message Specification / Companion Specification for Energy Metering)  protocol  which  is  a  flexible  standard  framework  for  data  exchange between metering devices and utility systems. Indian Standard for Smart Meter IS 16444 and its companion standard IS 15959 refers to adoption of DLMS/COSEM protocol for the application layer for data exchange.

Under RDSS, launched to support the States/UTs to improve the operational  efficiencies  and  financial  sustainability  of  distribution  utilities  i.e. DISCOMS/  Power  Departments,  smart  metering  has  been  identified  as  a  key initiative.

Initially  there  were  some  challenges  in  the  implementation  of  smart metering  works  under  the  scheme  due  to  delay  in  tendering  and  awarding  of works and thereafter in signing of contract agreement by the States.

Ministry of Power is regularly following up with the States and distribution utilities on the progress of tendering, award and physical progress of sanctioned  works.  The  nodal  agencies  (REC  and  PFC)  are  handholding  the utilities in resolving issues, if any. As a result, the works have started picking up pace and is expected to be completed within the scheme timelines.

Following steps are being taken to address any challenges/ complaints related to smart meters and for their smooth roll out:

- i. Smart  meters  are  required  to  adhere  to  relevant  technical  and  quality standards  and  need  to  have  valid  tests  and  BIS  (Bureau  of  Indian Standards) certificate.
- ii. Advisories have been issued for installation of check meters to verify the readings of smart meters on random basis. Further, in case of complaints being  received  from  consumers,  check  meters  are  to  be  compulsorily installed.
- iii. Smart meter mobile apps are being made available for regular tracking of consumption of electricity and for easy recharge.
- iv. Ministry  has  issued  Standard  operating  procedures  (SoPs)  for  smart meters which include provisions for providing multiple recharge options, having  consumer  feedback  mechanism,  effective  complaint  resolution mechanism and comprehensive consumer engagement campaign, etc.

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ANNEXURE ANNEXURE  REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  UNSTARRED

QUESTION NO. 4089 ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 19.12.2024 *************

## State/ UT-wise details of smart meters installed till 11.12.2024

| Sl. No.              |                   | No. of Smart meters installed   | No. of Smart meters installed   | No. of Smart meters installed   | No. of Smart meters installed   |
|----------------------|-------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| Sl. No.              |                   | Consumer DT                     | Feeder                          | Total                           |                                 |
| 1                    | Andaman & Nicobar | 75,200 -                        | -                               | 75,200                          |                                 |
| 2                    | Andhra Pradesh    | 5,19,073 42                     | 946                             | 5,20,061                        |                                 |
| 3                    | Assam             | 27,58,791 51,494                | 2,835                           | 28,13,120                       |                                 |
| 4                    | Bihar             | 57,61,887 32,296                | 4,550                           | 57,98,733                       |                                 |
| 5 Chandigarh         | 24,214            | -                               | -                               | 24,214                          |                                 |
| 6 Chhattisgarh       | 6,85,155          | 23,971                          | 5,239                           | 7,14,365                        |                                 |
| 7 Delhi              | 2,60,000          | -                               | -                               | 2,60,000                        |                                 |
| 8 Gujarat            | 3,05,686          | 34,110                          | -                               | 3,39,796                        |                                 |
| 9 Haryana            | 8,47,467          | -                               | -                               | 8,47,467                        |                                 |
| 10 Himachal Pradesh  | 2,09,353          | 647                             | 158                             | 2,10,158                        |                                 |
| 11 Jammu and Kashmir | 6,33,334          | 9,963                           | 99                              | 6,43,396                        |                                 |
| 12 Kerala            | 805               | -                               | -                               | 805                             |                                 |
| 13 Ladakh            | 55,580            | 1,745                           | 79                              | 57,404                          |                                 |
| 14 Madhya Pradesh    | 15,11,367         | 10,702                          | 4,126                           | 15,26,195                       |                                 |
| 15 Maharashtra       | 3,76,663          | 60,791                          | 26,510                          | 4,63,964                        |                                 |
| 16 Mizoram           | 656               | -                               | -                               | 656                             |                                 |
| 17 Odisha            | 4,500             | -                               | -                               | 4,500                           |                                 |
| 18 Punjab            | 10,35,614         | -                               | -                               | 10,35,614                       |                                 |
| 19 Rajasthan         | 6,14,307          | -                               | 11,416                          | 6,25,723                        |                                 |
| 20 Sikkim            | 4,795             | -                               | 153                             | 4,948                           |                                 |
| 21 Tamil Nadu        | 1,29,641          | 1,220                           | -                               | 1,30,861                        |                                 |
| 22 Telangana         | 8,882             | -                               | -                               | 8,882                           |                                 |
| 23 Uttar Pradesh     | 16,41,433         | 19,462                          | 21,062                          | 16,81,957                       |                                 |
| 24 Uttarakhand       | 629               | 1,779                           | 2,129                           | 4,537                           |                                 |
| 25 West Bengal       | 1,40,335          | -                               | -                               | 1,40,335                        |                                 |
| Total                | 1,76,05,367       | 2,48,222                        | 79,302                          | 1,79,32,891                     |                                 |

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