Ontabhawan residents protest against installation of smart meters

Srinagar, Apr 8: Local populace hit roads on Saturday and held a protest against the installation of smart meters in the Ontabhawan Soura area of Srinagar outskirts.
Reports said that male protesters congregated near the local mosque to protest the installation of the latest electricity meters.
“Since we come from a middle-class background, we cannot afford to pay for the meters. We insist that the meters be withdrawn from our areas and neighborhoods where they have already been installed,” a protester said.
Another protester said, “We belong to middle-class families and have limited sources of income. We currently receive an electricity bill in the range of Rs 800 to Rs 950 per month, but we are willing to accept a flat-rate bill of Rs 1100. But these meters ought to be uninstalled and not put to use.”
The protesters requested that all the existing, installed electricity meters be removed and that no new meters be put in. “We hope that our pleas find an ear among the union territory administration officials,” the protesters pleaded. [KNT]