Himachal Pradesh Smart Meter Row: Bagga Kiosk Owner Receives ₹82,059 Electricity Bill

What was meant to modernise electricity billing has instead left a 75-year-old kiosk owner in shock after he received a postpaid electricity bill of 82,059 — just weeks after a smart meter was installed at his roadside shed.

Ranjeet Singh, an underprivileged resident of Bagga village in Jawali subdivision, said he received the bill on his mobile phone on February 5. The smart meter had recently replaced the earlier electronic meter at his kiosk.

The bill was issued by the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd (HPSEBL). Until recently, Singh said, his monthly electricity bills rarely exceeded ₹300.

Bill Jumps from ₹219 to ₹82,059

Displaying copies of previous bills, Singh said his January bill under the same consumer ID amounted to ₹219, dated January 16, which he paid the very next day.

“I have never defaulted. My kiosk uses minimal electricity. How can it jump from ₹200 to over ₹82,000?” he asked, visibly distressed.

The last date for payment of the new bill is February 26. Singh said the unexpected demand has caused severe anxiety for his family. He has demanded that the smart meter be removed immediately and replaced with the earlier electronic meter, which he described as reliable.

Protests and Public Concern

The staggering bill quickly went viral on social media, fuelling anger among consumers who have been protesting against the rollout of smart meters in the region.

Yogesh Kumar, up-pradhan of Bagga gram panchayat, said the incident validates concerns raised by residents during protests last month. He alleged that meters were installed hastily without adequate public awareness or clarification of doubts.

Residents had submitted objections at the office of the Junior Engineer under the electrical sub-division at Kotla on January 22, he added. Villagers also claimed that a consumer in Kotla town earlier received an inflated bill of nearly ₹95,000 after installation of a smart meter.

Official Response

Kundan Singh, Assistant Engineer at the Electrical Sub-Division, Kotla, said an inquiry would be conducted into the matter. He suggested the bill appeared to be the result of human error and assured that corrective action would be taken if required.

The episode has intensified mistrust among consumers, many of whom fear that technological upgrades are being implemented without adequate safeguards or transparency.Read Also : Himachal Pradesh RDG Controversy: BJP Faces Heat After Walkout from All-Party Meeting