Smart meters being installed with complete transparency, scientific pricing structure: BESCOM
Bengaluru, Mar 24 (PTI): The installation of smart meters in new electrical setups within the BESCOM jurisdiction is being carried out with complete transparency, with a scientific pricing structure in place, BESCOM Managing Director N Shivashankara said on Monday.
In a press conference held at the BESCOM office, Shivashankara further said existing customers too will have the option to install smart meters.
The press meet was also attended by Energy Department’s Additional Chief Secretary Gaurav Gupta and Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) Managing Director Pankaj Kumar Pandey.
On March 6, the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission released guidelines for installing smart meters. As per these guidelines, installing and replacing smart meters will take place in phases.
Shivashankara said, “The Energy Department’s smart meter scheme is a significant step towards a digital approach for electricity bill payments and real-time electricity usage data. These smart meters are not just a solution to meter and billing issues but also a tool for customers to manage their electricity usage effectively.”
According to him, the system enables TOD (Time of Day) rates, remote reading, auto connection, and disconnection. In case of a power outage, the electricity distribution company will receive immediate updates, streamlining and speeding up the power restoration process.
Most states have implemented the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) system, said a release issued by the Energy Department.
Under RDSS, the central government would provide 60 percent of funding for developing electrical infrastructure if accepted. Additionally, the union government would contribute 15 percent of the total cost, or Rs 900, to replace smart meters, said the press release.
However, the scheme stipulated that state governments could only benefit if they cleared any outstanding subsidies and dues owed to the respective electricity supply companies. Furthermore, it was mandatory for all customers to install smart meters.
Since the Karnataka government did not agree to these conditions at that time, it did not accept the central RDSS scheme, said Shivashankara.
“In these states, electricity supply companies purchase and install smart meters for customers, subsequently recovering the cost of the meters and their technical maintenance by incorporating it into the electricity tariff,” he added.
He also explained how it worked in other states.
“For instance, with the central government’s subsidy, the monthly cost for each smart meter over 10 years is Rs120.34 in Maharashtra, Rs117.81 in West Bengal, Rs148.88 in Sikkim, Rs 130.30 in Manipur, and Rs115.84 in Madhya Pradesh. This cost is reflected in the electricity bill and collected from customers. Additionally, in these states, smart meters are being installed simultaneously for all customer installations (bulk replacement),” said Shivashankara.
The process of installing smart meters began in urban areas on February 15, and in the coming days, the installation process will begin in rural areas, he added.
“Currently, BESCOM has a stock of 30,600 smart meters,” said the BESCOM MD.
At the press meet, Energy Department’s ACS Gupta and KPCL MD Pandey also provided information about Karnataka's power situation and the measures taken by the Energy Department to ensure a stable power supply.
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Trump posts AI-generated photo of himself in papal attire; Evokes backlash, praise on social media
Washington (PTI): US President Donald Trump has posted a seemingly AI generated photo of himself in papal attire on his social media sparking a duelling backlash and praise, Newsweek said on Saturday.
The image, which was also posted from the White House's social media handle, prompted many social media users to call it “cosplaying as the next Pope” comes days after Trump had jokingly said last week that he would be his own “number one choice” for the next pope.
In the Vatican, cardinals are set to begin on May 7 the process to choose a successor to Pope Francis, who died on April 21. The US president was among the world leaders who attended his funeral at St Peter's Square on April 26.
The president posted the picture without a caption or comment. “The post immediately garnered positive and negative reaction online,” Newsweek said adding, it reached out to the Vatican via email soon after.
Earlier on April 29, Trump told a television reporter: “I’d like to be pope. That would be my number one choice.”
When asked who should replace Francis, Trump said, “I have no preference,” but added: “I must say, we have a cardinal that happens to be out of a place called New York who’s very good, so we’ll see what happens.”
Meanwhile, Trump's image went viral on social media with scores of users coming up with jokes, memes and criticism of the president.
Reacting to the image posted on the White House's X account, Lepus (@LepusNox) was quick to point out how it was neither funny nor respectful. “As President of the United States, posting a picture of himself as Pope a few days after the Pope's death is neither funny, nor does it present statesmanship and respectful behaviour. Rather, it shows the boundless arrogance and childish behaviour of a man who believes he is above everything, can get away with anything and is the head of everyone.”
The newsportal quoted comedian Terrance K Williams's post on X, which said: “Pope Trump... Lol our President just posted this. He's trolling because he knows the media is going to flip out. Love it Actually I love the sound of King Trump, the first of his name.”
Melanie D'Arrigo, executive director of the Campaign for New York Health and former Democratic congressional candidate, also took to X saying, “The guy who broke all 10 commandments is posting pictures of himself cosplaying as the next Pope.”
An X user, Average Aussie Egyptologist (Therese Clarke) (@AUSegyptology) called it “truly disgraceful” and an insult to the late Pope Francis.
“I can take lots of jokes about religion, but this is truly disgraceful - an insult to the late Pope Francis. It is on Donald Trump's approved Instagram account. The man couldn't even follow the protocols advised by the Holy See, fell asleep during the funeral mass and now does this,” she said.
