#Nihora gave #advice to #Tejashwi, investigation is going on on smart meter

1.49 Crore Smart Meters Installed With Consent, Beneficial for Bihar

Hello, you are watching Sansani Express News. JD(U) spokesperson Nihora Prasad stated that there is no fraud in smart meters, nor are there any incorrect bills being generated. He called this misinformation spread by the RJD (Rashtriya Janata Dal). Nihora Prasad Yadav further mentioned that investigations into the smart meters are still ongoing. Comparisons of electricity bills from regular meters and smart meters are yet to be completed, after which a final conclusion can be reached.
He also spoke about the flood situation in Bihar, expressing his support for the Bihar government. He emphasized that the Bihar government had already made several preparations to mitigate the flood’s impact. Speaking to our correspondent Shweta Singh, Nihora Prasad Yadav provided further details. Watch the full report from Patna, Bihar.
Interview with JD(U) Spokesperson Nihora Prasad Yadav
Shweta Singh: Welcome to Sansani Express News, Mr. Nihora Prasad Yadav. The biggest news at the moment is the uproar in Bihar’s Saran district about the installation of smart meters, where the employees were forced to leave due to opposition from the villagers. What are your views on this?
Nihora Prasad: Smart meters are beneficial for consumers. The confusion created by the opposition, especially through RJD, that electricity bills are higher is completely false. Let me clarify three things: when the decision to install smart meters was made, Tejashwi Yadav was a minister, and the initial batch of 4,200 meters was tested and approved during his tenure. Later, during the second term of the government, 1.49 crore smart meters were purchased with the cabinet’s approval, and Tejashwi Yadav, as Deputy CM, gave his consent.

There is a provision for consumers to report if they feel their smart meter is overcharging. In such cases, the bill will be cross-checked with a conventional electronic meter. If the smart meter is found to be faulty, it will be replaced. However, RJD’s Tejashwi Yadav and others are misleading the public, which is not in Bihar's interest but rather in the opposition's.
Shweta Singh: Do you think the protests in the rural areas are orchestrated by RJD?
Nihora Prasad: Yes, the RJD is spreading misinformation in districts where their influence is stronger. Villagers are being misled. For instance, people are being told that they will need to sell their land to pay their electricity bills, which is entirely untrue. The government provides electricity to farmers at 55 paise per unit and to those below the poverty line at ₹1.07 per unit. Even at such low rates, people are claiming that the bills are high, which is a fabricated issue.
Before we came to power, rural areas hardly had any electricity. Today, every village and city gets 24-hour electricity. Naturally, when electricity consumption increases, bills will increase as well. But everything is transparent. You can track daily usage on your smart meter. Shweta Singh: What about the flood situation in Bihar?
Nihora Prasad: Northern Bihar experiences floods every year, especially because of the Kosi River. This year, the flood situation is severe, but the government was fully prepared in advance. Evacuations were carried out, and shelters were set up for affected people, where food, water, and other amenities were provided. The administration had been instructed to be ready for all rescue and relief efforts.
Shweta Singh: There were reports of dead bodies floating in the Ganges river due to the flood. What actions are being taken?



Nihora Prasad: The government was proactive in addressing the flood situation. However, floods cannot be completely stopped. In 2008, the Kosi dam broke when Laloo Yadav was the Railway Minister under the UPA government. Sonia Gandhi visited the affected areas but did not declare the flood as a national disaster, nor did they take steps for a permanent solution. We requested the construction of a dam in cooperation with the Nepal government to prevent future disasters, but no action was taken.
However, under Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership, the 2024 budget includes provisions for constructing a dam to secure the Kosi River. The funds have already been allocated, and negotiations with Nepal are underway to implement the plan. Additionally, during the 2008 floods, Chief Minister Nitish Kumar promised to strengthen the embankments. This year, despite the heavy rainfall, those embankments did not collapse.
Shweta Singh: Thank you, Mr. Nihora Prasad Yadav, for sharing your insights. We hope the government continues to take effective measures for flood management.