Smart meters unlikely to cost less than Rs 1,000 in Bengaluru | Bengaluru News

Bengaluru: Amid the state govt’s wish to avail benefits under the central govt-initiated Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), which mandates installation of smart meters at every installation, the energy department has clarified that cost of smart meters shall only be decided at the time of executing the project. They won’t be available for less than Rs 1,000 despite the Centre’s subsidy.Karnataka is one of the few states that hasn’t availed RDSS till date. The beneficiary states will be provided 15% subsidy for installing smart meters and another 60% to improve transmission infrastructure. Last week, TOI sreported that with 15% subsidy, the cost of smart meters is likely to come down from Rs 5,000 to less than Rs 1,000.However, clarifying on the cost, the energy department said in a release that actual subsidy under RDSS is around Rs 900 or 15% of the life-cycle cost of the meter, including its cost and advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) service charges. Even with the Centre’s subsidy, the cost of smart meters will not come down to less than Rs 1,000.According to KERC norms, while consumers are required to bear the cost of meters, Escoms will manage AMI charges, which will be integrated with Bescom’s IT systems.As RDSS deadline is Dec, energy minister KJ George said the state will consider opting for bulk replacement of smart meters if the Centre agrees to extend the deadline and relax some of the conditions under the scheme.