GB Union Dimapur (Sadar) at its executive meeting has unanimously decided and reaffirmed the February 2021 resolution to oppose prepaid electric billing system.
In a press release, GBUD (S) president W Kholie Kapfo and general secretary T Onen Jamir stated that resolution to oppose prepaid electric billing system was adopted by GBUD (S) and Dimapur Urban Council Chairmen Federation (DUCCF).
GBUD (S) asserted that prepaid electric metering system was “more of a disadvantage”, both in terms of practicability and technicality. The union maintained that consumers have accepted the digital postpaid meter billing system through online/offline and has been effective with no room for tampering.
GBUD (S) has, therefore, questioned what triggered the policy of bringing in prepaid system “making it absolutely against the interest and welfare of the consumers, rather promoting the interest of the private sector monopoly.”
The union contended that the prepaid meters paved the way for privatization. It said that the system would be captured by a private enterprise for profits, and not in the interest of affordable, reliable and sustainable electricity access for common people by and large.
GB union expressed the view that the public had the right to know on how the prepaid meter was beneficial to the consumers, such as provide better supply, less economical, price of prepaid meter and whether the amount of the digital meter installed would be refunded.
“These are few points needed adequate clarification from the concern department, by which the consumers should have the option whether to use the digital meter or the prepaid meter,” GBUD (S) said.
It said that until such time, prepaid meter installation should not be made mandatory.
GB union said it was “ever ready” to cooperate with the power department, but affirmed to stand opposed to the prepaid meter for the cause of the common people.
GBUD (S) and DUCCF in their resolution decided to oppose prepaid electric meter the urban colonies till such time the power department explained and sensitized about the advantages of prepaid system adequately.