Kalyan: Ahead of Diwali, the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) has issued 24-hour notices threatening to disconnect electricity supply to two housing societies in Dombivli’s MIDC residential area if residents fail to provide access for smart meter installation. The notices have triggered resentment among residents, who have opposed the ongoing installation drive.The notices were served on Sai Deep and Indraneel societies, which together have around 80 residential flats. Residents had locked their electricity meter boxes, preventing MSEDCL officials and their private contractors from accessing the existing meters for replacement.According to society office-bearers, MSEDCL officials and contractors visited the residence of Indraneel Society chairman Amey Parkar on Friday afternoon and handed over the notice to his family members, as he was away at work.Titled ‘24-Hour Notice for Disconnection of Electricity Supply due to Denial of Access for Smart Meter Replacement’, the communication cites Sections 55 and 163 of the Electricity Act, 2003, and the Central Electricity Authority’s (CEA) Installation and Operation of Meters Amendment Regulations.The notice states that consumers cannot refuse smart meter installation and warns that electricity supply could be disconnected if access is not provided within 24 hours.Following the notice, Parkar discussed the issue with other office-bearers and appealed to elected representatives and political leaders through social media to intervene. The societies also sought a meeting with MSEDCL officials to address residents’ concerns.However, MSEDCL executive engineer Jagdish Bodke of the Kalyan East division said the department had issued three notices to the societies before serving the 24-hour disconnection warning, requesting access for smart meter installation.“The residents have locked the meter boxes and are not allowing our teams access. Despite repeated notices, we have not received a response. However, even after the 24-hour deadline, we have not disconnected their electricity supply. We are willing to clarify all their doubts regarding smart meters and would like to replace the existing meters only after addressing their concerns,” Bodke said.
