Smart meters or tariff hike- Confusion within PDD

The decision making during the present times in the government departments, especially in the Power Development Department (PDD) is indicating a confused and chaotic mindset of the authorities with regard to certain issues. In the last one year, the government has been claiming high and tall about the installation of smart meters, which according to them will help in ensuring power tariff as per the usage. However, the department at the same time is considering the hike in monthly power tariff to one and all including the domestic as well as the commercial consumers. The contrary decision is giving an impression of confusion within the department as it seems that the much-hyped smart meters are not going to help the department in achieving the goal that they were aspiring to. The proposal that has been recently submitted has made it clear that the department has failed to identify the actual step that can help in reducing the losses as well as help them in generating the revenue. It seems that the top officials within the department are making the decision in haste and are not looking back to check the faults and other things. At this juncture, the department has to consider whether they are supposed to go ahead with the hike in power tariff or the smart meter installation will have to be completed. The confusion in this regard must be put to an immediate end so that the consumers are not confused any further.