Bhubaneswar, Jan. 3 -- The Odisha government will directly fund the installation of smart electricity meters across the state, approving a one-time grant of Rs 735 crore for the financial year 2025-26, following a Cabinet decision and a subsequent notification by the Energy Department.

Under the decision, notified on Saturday, smart meters will be installed for electricity consumers with contract demand (CD) up to and including 2 kW, covering both replacement of existing non-smart meters and new electricity connections.

Further, while the smart meter assets will belong to the Energy Department, Government of Odisha, the meters will be operated and maintained by the respective DISCOMs, including Tata Power's TPCODL, TPNODL, TPSODL, and T...