FCC

Kerala power minister adopts alternative smart metre model

2023-08-29

Power Minister K Krishnankutty confirmed on Sunday that there was no disagreement with the Chief Minister over the smart meter project. He stated that the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) had been directed to formulate an alternative smart meter solution, rejecting the TOTEX model that had been collectively dismissed by the Left government in a political context.

Krishnankutty also reached out to the Union Energy Minister, seeking a three-month extension for the smart meter project's implementation. The decision to move away from the TOTEX model was made during a high-level meeting between Krishnankutty and Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan, prompted by a directive from the CPM Politburo.

The Power Minister revealed that KSEB is working towards introducing the alternative smart meter model within the next three months. Simultaneously, the National Coordination Committee of Electricity Employees and Engineers expressed approval of the state government's decision to abandon the TOTEX model.