Jammu Kashmir: Govt Orders Prepaid Smart Meter Installation in Offices, PSUs | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: The Finance Department of Jammu and Kashmir has issued a circular directing all government offices, corporations, public sector undertakings (PSUs), local bodies, institutions and universities to expedite installation of prepaid smart electricity meters and shift to a prepaid metering system for electricity consumption.

According to the circular issued by the Budget Division of the Finance Department, the directive has been issued in continuation of earlier instructions dated December 24, 2025, under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), and follows a reference from the Power Development Department.

The circular states that all Administrative Departments shall ensure installation of prepaid smart meters in office buildings and government-owned residential quarters under their administrative control on a priority basis, in coordination with the Power Development Department and DISCOMs.

It directs departments to clear all outstanding electricity dues from available funds after proper reconciliation of pending bills, while noting that the 50 per cent balance under the unit head “008-Electricity Charges” has also been released.

The government has further ordered that electricity charges after installation of prepaid smart meters, including prepaid recharges, shall be met by Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) from available budgetary allocations, on the pattern of payments made for telephone, internet, Wi-Fi and other statutory dues.

As per the circular, departments will have to monitor expenditure after installation and, after one to two months of recharge and payment experience, furnish a reasonable and justified estimate of further funds, if required, to the Finance Department for consideration.

Heads of Departments, offices and DDOs have also been asked to strictly monitor electricity consumption to ensure usage remains within budgetary allocations. However, the circular says departments providing essential services or critical utilities may seek consideration of additional funds from the Finance Department on the basis of actual and justified estimates.