Finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman allocated Rs 22,000 crore for the power and renewable sector and has urged state governments to implement smart meters in three years, which would give the consumers the right to choose suppliers and the rate.
The power distribution companies are under financial stress and the power ministry has been trying to implement smart meters, she said in her Budget speech.
“Ï urge the states to replace conventional energy meters with smart meters in next three years. This would give the conumers the freedom to choose the supplier and the rate as per their requirement,” Sitharaman said.
The Union Budget proposes to allocate Rs 22,000 crore to power and renewable sector.