India, March 26 -- Bangalore Electricity Supply Company (Bescom) will begin installing smart meters for new and temporary connections starting March 1. However, the technical maintenance cost of Rs.75 per month per meter will be distributed among all consumers, according to a report by The Times of India.

The decision comes just days after electricity supply companies (Escoms) in Karnataka shifted the burden of pension and gratuity payments to consumers through tariff hikes. A senior official stated that the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) directed Bescom to recover smart meter maintenance costs from all consumers.

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