APDCL to install 58 lakh smart meters in Assam

CABINET DECISIONS

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: The Cabinet has approved the APDCL's move to install smart meters with its 58 lakh consumers. It has also decided to engage retired army officers to impart training to the Assam Police battalion's jawans.

Briefing the media after the Cabinet meeting today, IPR (Information and Public Relations) Minister Pijush Hazarika said, "The Cabinet has approved the installation of smart meters by the APDCL to its 58 lakh consumers to put an end to complaints of overbilling. Manual meters will also be in service along with the smart meters in the first month. It will allow the consumers to compare the differences in the billing between these two types of meters. The project for smart meter installation will complete by March 31, 2025, with an estimated cost is Rs 4,536 crore. The Cabinet decided the setting up three new power grids, one each at Hatsinghimari, Salakati and Barpeta. They will benefit around 30 lakh consumers. The Cabinet has approved Rs 56 crore for the purpose."

He said, "The Cabinet has decided to engage retired Army officers to impart training to Assam Police battalions' jawans to make them more agile and potent. The government will engage 34 retired Major/Colonel rank Army officers as Additional SPs for the training. The retired Army officers can be from any state of the country."

On the promotion of ACS and APS officers, the minister said, "Such promotions often come under the cloud due to various lacunae. The Cabinet has decided to toe the system followed in the promotion of IAS and IPS officers to plug the loopholes in the promotion of ACS and APS officers."

He said the Cabinet finalized the roadmap for the 400th birth anniversary celebration of Bir Lachit Barphukan at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The Cabinet has formed a 35-member apex committee headed by the Chief Minister and several sub-committees headed by the ministers concerned. He said that the State government would invite Union Home Minister Amit Shah on November 23 and Prime Minister Narendra Modi on November 24 as chief guests at the celebrations.

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