{"id":751,"date":"2023-06-20T15:18:26","date_gmt":"2023-06-20T15:18:26","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theasiaspeaks.com\/?p=751"},"modified":"2023-06-20T15:18:27","modified_gmt":"2023-06-20T15:18:27","slug":"massive-protest-against-installation-of-smart-meters-in-srinagars-uptown","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/theasiaspeaks.com\/index.php\/2023\/06\/20\/massive-protest-against-installation-of-smart-meters-in-srinagars-uptown\/","title":{"rendered":"Massive protest against installation of smart meters in Srinagar\u2019s uptown"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Srinagar, June 20 :<\/strong>\u00a0A large number of female protesters blocked the traffic in the Tengapora Batamaloo area of Srinagar\u2019s uptown against the installation of smart electricity meters by the electricity department. They raised the issue of inflated power bills and said they won\u2019t be able to pay heft power bills after the installation of what they said \u2018anti-family\u2019 smart meters.
\u00a0\u00a0 Police faced tough time in dispersing these protesters who raised slogans against the government and power development department.
\u00a0\u00a0 They alleged that government is hell-bent to harass poor people. \u201cInstead of pursuing pro-people policies, new ways and means are being found to harass and suppress the poor people,\u201d one of the female protesters told news agency Kashmir News Trust.
\u00a0\u00a0 One of the locals claimed that the smart meters are not accurate and compared to normal meters, the readings are always higher.
\u00a0\u00a0 Pertinently, people inhibited in areas where smart meters have been installed are alleging that PDD is issuing inflated bills and consumers are getting double to triple the bills they used to get in the past.
\u00a0\u00a0 \u201cWe are ready to pay Rs 100 or 200 extra on a monthly basis but we can\u2019t afford the bills after the installation of these meters,\u201d one of the protesters said adding that they have not seen any relief from the government so far.
\u00a0 \u00a0\u201cWe will hold protests and refuse to pay bills if the government does not accept our demand,\u201d they said.
\u00a0 The installation of these meters has triggered protests almost in every area where these have been installed. In some areas, Power Development Department officials got police cases registered against the protesters.
\u00a0\u00a0 Cutting across party lines, all political parties have been opposing the installation of these meters.
\u00a0 \u201cIn the absence of any elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, people have no access to power corridors. This too shall pass,\u201d said a protester. <\/p>\n

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