Smart Meters: Andhra Pradesh Government’s Key Decision Shocks Shirdi Sai Electricals

The coalition government in Andhra Pradesh has taken a significant decision to cancel the installation of smart meters for agricultural connections, a project initiated under the previous YSRCP administration. This move has dealt a major blow to Shirdi Sai Electricals, the company contracted for the project.

Despite opposition from farmers and public groups, the previous YSRCP government had approved the installation of smart meters for 1.858 million agricultural connections. The project had already seen 50,000 connections outfitted with smart meters. However, the current government has decided to halt the project, citing various concerns.

Former Telangana Chief Minister K. Chandrashekar Rao had earlier criticized the central government’s insistence on installing smart meters, stating that he had refused to comply under similar circumstances. He had alleged that the Jagan Mohan Reddy administration had agreed to the central government’s terms in exchange for 2% additional borrowing capacity. Furthermore, critics have accused the previous government of implementing the project to benefit Shirdi Sai Electricals.