The power ministry has decided to make all meters smart prepaid in three years from April 1 2019 File photo Mint New Delhi The government plans to make all electricity meters smart prepaid in three years in a bid to cut transmission and distribution losses an official statement said Move towards smart meters is a pro-poor step as consumers need not pay the whole months bill in one go they can pay as per their requirements it said The Power Ministry has decided to make all meters smart prepaid in three years from April 1 2019 This step is likely to bring revolution in power sector by way of reduction in AT C losses better health of DISCOMs incentivisation of energy conservation ease of bill payments and doing away with the paper bills it said Manufacturing of smart prepaid meters will also generate skilled employment for the youth State governments had earlier signed the Power for All document and had agreed to supply power round the clock to their consumers Under this the distribution licensee shall provide 24x7 power to their consumers by 1st April 2019 or earlier However the appropriate Commission in exceptional circumstances for the reasons to be recorded in writing may grant extension in this time period the statement added This story has been published from a wire agency feed without modifications to the text First Published Mon Dec 24 2018 09 32 PM IST