Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has directed all administrative departments, public sector undertakings, corporations, local bodies, universities and other government institutions to expedite the installation of prepaid smart electricity meters in offices and residential quarters under their control.
The Finance Department, through a circular, reiterated earlier instructions regarding the installation of smart meters under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and stressed immediate compliance to ensure a smooth transition from the conventional billing system to the prepaid smart metering mechanism.
The circular, issued with the approval of the competent authority, stated that all government offices and buildings must ensure installation of prepaid smart meters on a priority basis in coordination with the Power Development Department and its DISCOMs.
The department also directed that all pending electricity dues must be cleared from available funds after proper reconciliation of outstanding bills. It noted that 50 percent balance funds under the unit head “008-Electricity Charges” have already been released to facilitate the process.
According to the circular, the payment of electricity charges after installation of prepaid meters will now be made in advance by Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) from the available budgetary allocation. The payment pattern will be similar to statutory payments made for telephone, internet, Wi-Fi and other utility services.
The Finance Department further instructed that after successful implementation of prepaid smart meters and after ensuring recharge and payment for one to two months, departments should submit a justified estimate of additional fund requirements, if any, for further consideration.
It also placed responsibility on Heads of Departments, offices and DDOs to strictly monitor electricity consumption and ensure that usage remains within the sanctioned budgetary allocation.
However, the circular clarified that departments providing essential services and critical utilities may seek additional funds from the Finance Department if required, based on actual and justified estimates.
Officials said the move is aimed at improving transparency in electricity consumption, preventing accumulation of unpaid bills and ensuring better financial discipline in power usage across government establishments.
