Bengaluru: BESCOM (Bangalore Electricity Supply Company) has made smart meters mandatory for new electricity connections across its eight-district jurisdiction. Along with this decision, the people of Karnataka have been dealt a massive shock as the price of a single-phase smart meter has skyrocketed from ₹950 to a staggering ₹4,998.
Yes, following BESCOM’s order making smart meters compulsory for new electricity connections, this sudden price hike has come as a major blow. The meter price has been increased by a whopping 400% to 800%, leaving consumers reeling from the unexpected financial burden.
Effective from January 15, 2025, BESCOM has mandated prepaid smart meters for all temporary electricity connections within its jurisdiction. Additionally, those applying for new permanent connections will also have to install smart meters, with an option to choose between prepaid and postpaid systems.
The price of SP-2 smart meters has increased from ₹2,400 to ₹9,000, while the cost of SP-3 phase meters has surged from ₹2,500 to ₹28,000. These price hikes will be applicable in all districts under BESCOM’s jurisdiction.
BJP State President BY Vijayendra Lashes Out
Reacting strongly to the price hike, BJP State President BY Vijayendra expressed his outrage on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).
In his post, he stated, “Only a financially bankrupt government would take such shocking decisions.” He slammed BESCOM’s move to mandate smart meters and impose a 400-800% price increase, calling it not just an electricity shock but daylight robbery of the people.
“ಸರ್ಕಾರವೊಂದು ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ದಿವಾಳಿಯಾದರೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಇಂತಹ ದಿಗಿಲು ಹುಟ್ಟಿಸುವ ನಿರ್ಧಾರಗಳನ್ನು ಕೈಗೊಳ್ಳಲು ಸಾಧ್ಯ”
— Vijayendra Yediyurappa (@BYVijayendra) March 5, 2025
ಬೆಸ್ಕಾಂ ಸಂಸ್ಥೆ ತನ್ನ ವ್ಯಾಪ್ತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ಮಾರ್ಟ್ ಮೀಟರ್ ಅಳವಡಿಸುವುದನ್ನು ಕಡ್ಡಾಯಗೊಳಿಸಿ ಶೇ 400-800 ರಷ್ಟು ದರ ಏರಿಕೆ ಮಾಡಿರುವ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ ಪ್ರಕಟಿಸಿರುವುದು ಕೇವಲ ವಿದ್ಯುತ್ ಶಾಕ್ ಅಲ್ಲ, ಜನ ಸುಲಿಗೆಯ ಲೂಟಿಕೋರತನವಾಗಿದೆ.… pic.twitter.com/5Apct6cNgI
Minister KJ George Supports the Move
Energy Minister KJ George has announced that the same pricing structure will soon be implemented across all ESCOM (Electricity Supply Companies) in Karnataka. ESCOM officials have already indicated that if the government fails to provide sufficient funds for the Gruha Jyoti scheme (which offers free electricity to households), they will recover the costs directly from consumers.
Amidst this, the abrupt and unscientific price hike of 400-800% under the guise of smart meters has been criticized as an authoritarian decision reminiscent of the Tughlaq era. Vijayendra further warned that such anti-people economic policies are clear signs of the government’s financial collapse and stated that if the smart meter prices are not rolled back, the Congress government should be prepared to face public outrage.