New Delhi, Dec. 11 -- Union Minister of Power Manohar Lal has allayed concerns such as consumer challenges and availability of postpaid service options involving smart prepaid electricity meters.

In written reply to a question in Lok Sabha, the Minister underlined the benefits of smart prepaid meters both for consumers as well as power utilities.

Smart Meter Deployment and Coverage

According to the Minister, a total of 4.93 crore smart meters have been installed across India, of which 1.6 crore are currently operating in prepaid mode.

Under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), smart metering for 20.33 crore consumers including prepaid installations for 19.79 crore users has been sanctioned.

Of these, 3.58 crore meters have...