'Electricity Meter Costs ₹8900, Where Will Poor People Go?': Karnataka HC Orally Questions State For Mandating Smart Pre-Paid Meters

The Karnataka High Court on Friday (April 26) orally questioned the decision of the state government making it mandatory for electricity consumers to install smart pre-paid meters, the cost of which is higher than what is prevalent in neighbouring states.

Justice M Nagaprasanna orally observed “All over (other states) it is at Rs 900 for the very same smart meter and you are charging Rs 8,900, where will poor people go sir? You have outsourced the things, this is dangerous. You are quenching from all the poor people.”

The observation was made after the court passed an interim order while hearing a petition filed by one Jayalakshmi M who has approached the court questioning a communication issued to her dated 02.04.2025 directing to purchase a Smart Energy Meter.

By way of interim relief the petitioner had sought direction to the Respondents to refrain from making it mandatory for obtaining smart meters for power supply/electricity connection as opposed to the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (Pre-paid Smart Metering) Regulations, 2024, during the pendency of the present petition.

Senior Advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi appearing for the petitioner argued that the installation of a meter that would cost Rs 2000 generally in the State, is now costing Rs 8,900 which is a huge burden on the consumer.

Further, it was said in neighbouring states the same prepaid meter to be installed the amount charged is Rs 900. Therefore the disparity in the same kind of meter from state to state is Rs 900 to Rs 8,900, he added.

The bench noted that “The case has arisen as the Karnataka Electricity Regulation Commission directed the installation of these smart meters. The regulatory commission itself indicates that the installation of smart prepaid meters would be at the option of the customer except in temporary installations. The petitioner's is not a temporary installation.”

Following which it issued notice to the respondents, posting the matter for further hearing on June 7 and passed the interim order with respect to the petitioner. 

The plea seeks to quash the impugned communication dated 02.04.2025 issued by the Assistant Executive Engineer. To declare that, the facility of availing permanent smart meter electricity connection is not mandatory and that Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (pre-paid smart metering) Regulations 2024 shall not be made applicable for connection and installation of smart meters.

Further to direct the respondent to issue a fresh communication providing details of cost of procurement and installation of both regular static meter and smart meter for three phase electricity connection for the petitioners residence.

Appearance: Senior Advocate Prabhuling K Navadgi for Petitioner.

Case Title: Jayalakshmi M AND State of Karnataka & Others

Case No: WP 12535/2025