BENGALURU, 25 MARCH

The BJP has alleged a Rs 15,568 crore scam in the procurement of smart meters by electricity supply companies (ESCOMs), including BESCOM. The opposition party said the government violated guidelines and manipulated tenders to benefit select firms.

Addressing the media on Tuesday, former minister Dr CN Ashwath Narayan, along with MLAs SR Vishwanath, Saptagiri Gowda and S Harish, alleged that the Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) guidelines do not mandate smart meters for new consumers, but BESCOM and other ESCOMs made them compulsory.

The BJP also alleged that the tender process violated the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurement (KTPP) Act by favouring Rajashree Electricals, which lacked the financial capacity required to bid.

"The tender valued at Rs 1,920 crore was awarded at Rs 107 crore, raising suspicions of under-pricing. Besides, UP-based BCITS, blacklisted in its home state, was awarded a software contract here," Dr Narayan said.

BJP leaders claimed Karnataka was overcharging consumers for smart meters. They said consumers would end up paying Rs 17,000 per meter over 10 years, whereas in other states, the costs range from Rs 7,400 to Rs 9,260 per unit. 

BESCOM MD Dr N Shivashankara said smart meters are mandatory for new and temporary connections and optional for existing consumers. He said the total cost for 10 years will be Rs 13,920, not Rs 17,000.