Fix smart meter issues: Manik Dey to state govt

A veteran politician in India's Tripura state is demanding answers about smart electricity meters after consumers reported soaring bills and service problems—raising important questions for families concerned about both billing accuracy and the wireless technology these devices use.

Former Tripura power minister Manik Dey has called on the state government to investigate allegations of inflated energy bills linked to smart meters installed by the Tripura State Electricity Corporation Ltd (TSECL). According to Dey, consumers are facing dramatically higher bills without clear explanations from the utility company, and the meter readings themselves remain unreliable.

What Changed After 2018

Dey clarified that consumers don't oppose smart meters in principle—in fact, an earlier pilot project under the previous government installed 50,000 smart meters without major complaints. The problems, he alleged, began after 2018 when meters were sourced from what he described as a "preferred vendor" and when private firms became more involved in the rollout, creating what he called "accountability issues over meter failures and arbitrary billing."

For health-conscious parents and homebuyers, smart meters represent a unique concern beyond billing accuracy. These devices continuously transmit wireless data, typically using radiofrequency radiation to communicate consumption information back to utility companies. While utilities maintain these exposures are within regulatory limits, many families prefer to minimize unnecessary EMF sources in their homes—just as they might choose low-EMF hair dryers or research EMF shielding paint when renovating.

What Families Can Do

Dey has demanded an impartial probe into smart meter complaints, transparent billing practices, and a clear grievance redressal mechanism. If you're experiencing unexplained billing increases after a smart meter installation, document your consumption patterns and previous bills, and file formal complaints with your utility provider.

For those concerned about EMF exposure from smart meters, some utilities offer opt-out programs (sometimes for a fee), and maintaining distance from the device—similar to how distance reduces exposure from other sources like appliances and air purifiers—can reduce exposure levels, as EMF intensity decreases significantly with distance.

Originally reported by The Times of India