Pavi Jetpur: Residents of Pavi Jetpur have expressed resentment after the installation of smart meters, alleging that electricity connections are being disconnected online without prior notice in cases of unpaid bills, causing significant hardship to consumers. It is also alleged that even after payment is made, the connection is not restored automatically. Instead, consumers have to visit the electricity company office to submit proof of payment.

Earlier, when a consumer had pending dues, electricity company staff would visit in person to disconnect the connection. In many cases, if the consumer was able to arrange money immediately, the bill could be paid on the spot, or some additional time could be granted on humanitarian grounds. This often helped consumers avoid disconnection.

However, after the installation of smart meters, the process has become fully automated. Consumers allege that the power supply is now cut directly through the online system by higher authorities without any prior intimation. As a result, many people only realise hours later that their electricity has been disconnected due to non-payment of the bill, and not because of any technical fault.

Residents say that even after paying the pending bill, the power supply is not restored automatically. Consumers are required to visit the local electricity office personally and submit proof of payment. Only after the office sends a report to higher authorities is the connection restored, forcing families to remain without electricity for several hours.

Local residents have demanded that the power company should provide at least 24 hours’ notice before disconnecting electricity, and the connection should be cut only if payment is not made within that time. They also demanded that once the bill is paid, the power supply should be restored automatically without requiring consumers to visit the office. DeshGujarat