The central power ministry has set a deadline of March 31, 2001 for metering 11 kV level including high tension consumers. It has directed all state electricity boards and utilities to achieve 100 per cent metering of all consumers by December 31 next year.

Top MSEB sources told The Financial Express on Monday that as much as Rs 100 crore would be sought from the REC for installation of meters in rural areas while Rs 50 crore may come in from PFC to carry out metering in urban areas in the state. MSEB, despite its precarious financial condition, has decided to make this capital investment in accordance with the necessary guidelines from the Union power ministry.

The Maharashtra State Electricity Board, which had come under severe attack from the state electricity regulatory commission for unmetered power supply, would have to complete metering of its 1.20 crore consumers all over the state during the stipulated period. However, it would be an uphill task for MSEB to offer metered power supply to "politically volatile" agricultural consumers and powerlooms.

Union power ministry sources sources said that there was general consensus on completion of metering to 11kV feeder level and high tension consumers by March 31 next year. Power Finance Corporation has been assigned to take up the job of vendor identification who could successfully meet the requirement as spelt out by the respective utilities.

Sources said that a large number of utilities have expressed difficulty regarding the provision of 100 per cent meters at all consumer premises by the target date of December 31, 2000. Their main viewpoint was that large number of agricultural consumers located in far off locations, single light point and Kutir Jyoti scheme consumers were supplied power on a flat rate or on free supply.

Furthermore, these utilities said that installation of meters for such consumers would not add to any revenue collection and would "therefore be an additional burden on them". Some of the utilities were concerned about the issue of moratorium of interest on the amount of loan and escrow account proposed by PFC.

However, PFC has made it clear that its escrow account system was not difficult to be ensured. Interestingly, the SEBs and utilities have arrived at a consensus on the issue of sharing the cost of meters by the consumers. The modalities of which would be finalised in due course of time.

Many utilities also expressed reservations about installation of meters on distribution transformers for the purpose of energy accounting. More of them viewed that the existing switch gear arrangement is not adequate for installation of meters at these locations.