EDAVCCF seeks review ofsmart prepaid meter policy

East Dimapur Area Village Council Chairman Forum (EDAVCCF), comprising chairmen from 19 villages, has expressed strong reservations over the state’s push to implement smart prepaid electricity meters, calling for accountability, fairness, and a citizen-first approach in power sector reforms.
While the move is being justified in the name of improving revenue and efficiency, the Forum stated that it raised serious questions regarding fairness, priorities, and accountability within the power sector. It urged the government to first lead by example by fulfilling its own obligations in the sector and therefore laid down several demands.
Immediate clearance of government power dues: The Forum pointed out that many government departments, public institutions and installations have long-standing electricity bill arrears.
The forum said that before targeting low-income households with prepaid systems that demand upfront payments, the government must first ensure that its own entities are cleared of dues, asserting that public accountability must begin at the top.
Crackdown on theft: Power theft, the forum noted, continues to be a major source of revenue loss.
It criticized the lack of serious enforcement action against illegal connections and meter tampering, and questioned the rationale of prioritizing prepaid meters while the root causes of loss remain unaddressed.
Review/reconsideration of smart prepaid meters: The Forum called for a review of the prepaid meter policy, warning that vulnerable groups– such as the poor, elderly, and those with limited access to digital tools– could be disproportionately affected.
It, therefore, urged the government to suspend the rollout until a proper public consultation is held with all stakeholders.
The forum reiterated its demand to prioritize clearing dues from all public institutions and intensify efforts to identify and prosecute all those involved in power thefts without fear or favour.
The Forum asserted that accountability and justice must form the foundation of any reform, emphasizing that it is unacceptable for law-abiding and paying citizens to bear the burden of systemic failures and government inaction.
It maintained that electricity is not a luxury but a right, and therefore, the concerned authorities must build a system that works for all. “Let reform begin with responsibility,” it stated.