The rollout of smart electricity meters in Rajasthan has raised fresh concerns among consumers and industry experts, with many warning that the initiative could lead to higher tariffs instead of the promised efficiency gains.

 

The state government is implementing a ?12,000-crore scheme to replace conventional meters with prepaid smart meters, aimed at curbing power theft, improving billing accuracy, and reducing distribution losses. However, exemptions built into the program have drawn criticism. Agricultural users who consume nearly 40% of the state’s electricity are not required to install smart meters, while over 1.04 crore households receiving free power up to 100 units are also excluded. Critics argue that these exemptions dilute the effectiveness of the project, leaving its financial burden to fall disproportionately on regular consumers.

 

Rooftop solar users, too, may face added costs, as they will need to replace existing meters to comply with the new system. Consumer groups fear this could discourage solar adoption at a time when the state is aiming to expand its renewable energy footprint.

 

While officials insist that smart meters will improve service quality and transparency in the long run, public resistance is growing, with calls for state-specific guidelines instead of blanket implementation under national norms. The debate reflects a broader challenge across India balancing the modernization of power infrastructure with affordability and fairness for end users.