Agartala, July 15 -- Amid rising public discontent and protests led by opposition parties over the rollout of smart meters in Tripura, Power Minister Ratan Lal Nath on Monday issued a firm challenge: prove the meters are faulty or stop misleading the public.

"If any qualified electrical engineer can certify that the smart meters have technical faults, I will not only halt the installation but also remove those already installed," Nath declared, directly countering the opposition's claims.

He rejected the political uproar surrounding the issue, stating, "This is a technical matter, not a political one. You don't go to a tea stall for medical advice; you consult a doctor. Similarly, only experts should comment on smart meters."

Nath clar...