Raipur: Amid public concerns and allegations that smart electricity meters inflate power consumption and bills, the Chhattisgarh State Power Distribution Company (CSPDCL) has released findings of a comparative study claiming smart meters do not increase electricity usage.
The utility said an analysis of household consumers in Raipur, Bilaspur and Durg showed a significant decline in electricity consumption during July 2026 compared with May and June, attributing power usage to actual consumer behaviour rather than the metering technology.
Seeking to dispel misconceptions and rumours surrounding smart electricity meters, CSPDCL on Monday said a three-month comparative analysis of domestic consumers equipped with smart meters found that electricity consumption declined significantly in July 2026 across Raipur, Bilaspur and Durg.
The power utility analysed electricity consumption for May, June and July 2026 in different regional offices and concluded that higher electricity bills reported by some consumers were linked to actual electricity usage rather than the installation of smart meters.
In Raipur city, CSPDCL examined data from 3,11,374 domestic consumers with smart meters. Total electricity consumption between June 1 and June 26, 2026, stood at about 10.85 crore units, while consumption during July 1 to July 26 declined to about 7.77 crore units, reflecting a 28% reduction.
Among 1,21,135 consumers whose monthly consumption exceeded 400 units, the company said electricity usage dropped by around 44% during the same period.
The utility maintained that electricity consumption depends entirely on actual usage and not on the type of meter installed. Households without smart meters had similarly recorded higher consumption during April, May and June compared with the corresponding months last year, indicating that seasonal demand, rather than smart meters, caused the increase.
CSPDCL cited several consumer accounts in Raipur to illustrate that electricity consumption had risen substantially during the summer months of April, May and June 2026 compared with the same period in 2025, even before considering smart meter-related concerns.
A similar trend was observed in Durg, where a comparative study of 240 selected smart meter consumers with monthly consumption exceeding 400 units found that electricity usage in July fell to 76,257 units, compared with 1,65,411 units in June and 1,75,451 units in May, representing a 53% decline.
In Bilaspur City Circle, the company analysed 9,717 smart meter consumers with monthly consumption above 400 units. Average monthly consumption was 524 units in May, 596 units in June, and declined to 312 units in July, a reduction of approximately 43%.
The distribution company said consumers whose monthly consumption exceeds 400 units, particularly those using air conditioners (ACs), are often ineligible for benefits under the Chief Minister Energy Relief Public Campaign Scheme, resulting in higher electricity bills.
The reduction in July consumption is expected to lower bills issued in August and enable more consumers to qualify for the scheme.
CSPDCL also clarified another factor contributing to higher electricity bills. Consumers who continuously draw electricity beyond their sanctioned load for three consecutive months attract an additional Supply Affording Charge.
The company announced that this charge will now be levied only once a year, in the December bill issued in January, instead of being added more frequently.
To improve transparency, the utility said consumers with smart meters can monitor their daily electricity consumption through the Mor Bijli App, while users with conventional meters can view only their monthly consumption.
It added that 4,500 check meters installed to verify smart meter readings have shown identical consumption records, indicating no discrepancy between the two systems.
The company advised consumers to contact its 1912 toll-free helpline for billing-related grievances and appealed to the public not to believe misleading information regarding smart meters.
Consumers can independently monitor their daily and half-hourly electricity consumption through the Mor Bijli App and the Smart Meter Portal, enabling better control over power usage.
CSPDCL said it would continue providing factual information to consumers to eliminate confusion surrounding smart meters.
