The Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF) and GB Union Dimapur (S) (GBUD) have announced opting out from the installation of prepaid electric meter system.
In a representation to Deputy Commissioner Dimapur, DUCCF president Zasivikho Zakiesato and GBUD (S) president MY Ngullie, said both the bodies held a thorough deliberation on August 14 on the advantages and disadvantages of the prepaid electric meter system being installed by the Power department in urban areas here. After in-depth discussions along with relevant facts, they stated that both the organisation had reached a conclusion unanimously that in the present juncture, the prepaid electric meter had more disadvantages in terms of practicability and technicality.
They pointed out that as per the Central/state government directive, all government offices, industrial set-ups and commercial establishments within Dimapur should be connected with the prepaid meter system, which would consume a major chunk of electricity supply.
Further, they said that installation of digital meter postpaid billing system had proven to be very effective, showing accuracy on power consumption which was non-manipulative (non-tampering) in contrast to the manual meter system.
Therefore, they wanted know that when common people had accepted the digital postpaid meter bill paying system through online/offline, what triggered the sudden policy of bringing in prepaid system that was not at all in the interest and welfare of the people, and rather promoted the interest of the private contract system.
According to DUCCF and GBUD(S), the prepaid meters paved the way for privatisation as the system would be captured by a private company for profits, and not in the interests of affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity access for common people by and large.
They alleged that the idea was pushing the system to neoliberalism, a policy model that encompassed both politics and economics, favouring private enterprises and seeking to transfer the control of economic factors from the government to the private sector, making it absolutely against the interest of the general people.
Hence, they contended that the prepaid meter was in contradiction to the benefit and welfare of the general people.