Dimapur: The installation of smart electricity meters across Nagaland has been progressing slowly due to continued public opposition, with the project scheduled for completion by February 2027, the state Power Department said on Wednesday.
The department said civil society organisations in various districts had been leading the resistance against the installation of smart meters.
During a meeting of Administrative Heads of Departments and Heads of Departments at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat conference hall in Kohima, the department presented an overview of the public opposition to smart meter installation under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
It sought the state government’s support, along with assistance from district administrations and law enforcement agencies, to ensure the smooth implementation of the project and prevent obstruction.
The department also highlighted public concerns over possible increases in electricity bills, the existing practice of paying fixed minimum or average charges, and demands for a more reliable power supply.
Chief Secretary Sentiyanger Imchen, who chaired the meeting, directed the Power Department to prepare a Cabinet memorandum detailing the measures needed to address the challenges surrounding smart meter installation.
He asked the department to incorporate suggestions from relevant departments, district administrations, police and other agencies to develop a coordinated approach.
Emphasising the importance of maintaining the rule of law, Imchen called on all departments to work together to ensure the effective implementation of government programmes.
Departments asked to follow diplomatic protocol
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary also drew attention to guidelines issued by the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) concerning diplomatic protocol and interactions with foreign diplomatic missions.
He instructed all departments to follow the prescribed procedures, stating that official engagements and proposed visits by foreign diplomats or representatives of diplomatic missions must be routed through the MEA and undertaken only after obtaining its express approval.
He clarified that visits by foreign nationals in their individual capacity would be treated differently from official visits undertaken as representatives of their respective countries. Such official engagements must comply with the established diplomatic protocol.
Imchen asked all departments to take note of the guidelines to ensure uniformity in official communication and diplomatic engagements.
The Chief Secretary also called for active participation by all government departments in the statewide mass social work scheduled for November 13.
He stressed that the cleanliness drive should not remain limited to Kohima and district headquarters but should extend to villages across Nagaland.