Rainawari residents protest against installation of smart meters, demand removal of existing meters
Srinagar, Mar 03 (KB): The residents of Rainawari area of central Kashmir’s district Srinagar on Friday, hits the main road to protect against installation of smart meters in their area.
Reports reaching said scores of women and children gathered on the main road to voice their opposition to the new technology. The protesters demanded that the already installed smart meters be removed from their area and no further meters be installed.
“We are a middle-class family and don’t have the money to pay for the meters. The meters have already been installed in Tralyar, Qundabal and other areas of Rainawari, and we demand that they be removed,” said one resident.
“I am a poor and middle-class woman. Currently, we receive an electricity bill of Rs. 920 to Rs. 950 per month, and we are ready to receive a bill of Rs. 1100 as a flat rate. But these meters should be removed and should not be installed anymore, said another protesting lady.
“Why should we suffer if it’s our own electricity?” asked a protesting lady. “We are ready to pay whatever electricity bill we receive, but these meters should not be installed. My husband is a laborer, and we don’t have enough income to pay high electricity bills,” said yet another resident.”
“We request the administration to remove the meters as soon as possible, and we are ready to pay Rs. 1100 as electricity bills for a month.” (Kashmir Bulletin)
