Flat rate system must stop

With an aim to ensure round-the-clock electricity to the consumers across the valley, the government has so far come up with different initiatives and even augmented the infrastructure as well in the last couple of years. Similarly, the government decided to come up with an initiative— Smart meters, which would help the consumers to pay as per the usage only. There were protests from different parts of the valley against the installation of smart meters, but the government assured people that it would not bring any discrimination but would ensure that the consumer pay only as per their usage. However, despite installation of smart meters, the Old City residents continue to get the monthly tariff as flat rate, which has angered the people, claiming that they have not used the electricity much, but despite that they are being asked to pay a hefty sum, which is unfair according to them. One fails to understand the reasons behind the installation of smart meters when there has been no end to the flat rate system for the consumers. Most of the consumers don’t use electricity much as they have stopped using electronic gadgets like heaters, boilers and other related things. But despite judicious use of electricity, the people continued to serve the flat rate bills, which needs to be looked at thoroughly and ensure that bills are replaced and the consumers are charged only according to the units that have been revealed on the respective smart meters.