Shimla: The installation of smart electricity meters in many government schools across Himachal Pradesh has led to a sharp increase in power bills, causing concern among school authorities and teachers. In several schools, electricity bills have reportedly increased three to five times after the installation of the new meters.
Due to the prepaid system, schools are now facing the risk of power disconnections if payments are not made in advance. The Education Department, which pays electricity bills through grants under the Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA), is finding it difficult to manage the additional financial burden created by the smart meter system.
According to teachers, even a small school with four classrooms is receiving electricity bills of around ₹3,700. School authorities say that if such expenses continue throughout the year, the available funds and SSA grants will not be sufficient to cover the cost. In case of non-payment, electricity connections could be cut off, creating difficulties for students and staff.
The Government TGT Arts Association has raised the issue with the state government, demanding that the responsibility for paying prepaid electricity bills should be taken up by the government.
The association pointed out that schools have been instructed to install CCTV cameras and are equipped with LED lights, computers and other digital infrastructure, which require continuous electricity supply. In larger school buildings, the electricity consumption from fans, lights and teaching panels has significantly increased under the smart meter system.
Demand for separate budget
The association has demanded that the Education Department should allocate a separate monthly budget for electricity payments. Teachers also noted that only half of the SSA grants for the current session have been released so far, while smart meters have already been installed in many schools, requiring advance monthly payments.
The TGT Arts Association has sent a memorandum to the Chief Secretary and the Education Secretary, urging the government to ensure that electricity and water connections of schools are not disconnected and to arrange a dedicated budget for paying electricity bills under the new system.
