Thu Mar 20 16:46:22 UTC 2025: ## ₹7,500 Crore Smart Meter Contract Scandal Rocks Karnataka Assembly
**Bengaluru, March 20, 2025** – The Karnataka Legislative Assembly was rocked today by allegations of irregularities amounting to ₹7,500 crore in the awarding of a contract for 3.9 million smart electricity meters. BJP MLA C.N. Ashwath Narayan accused the state government of awarding the contract to a supplier instead of directly procuring from manufacturers, leading to inflated costs. He further alleged that a blacklisted company was chosen to provide software support and that Bescom mandated smart meters for both temporary and new connections, contradicting Karnataka Electricity Regulatory Commission (KERC) and Central Electricity Authority guidelines. Narayan demanded the contract be cancelled and a House committee be formed to investigate. Energy Minister K.J. George disputed the claims, promising a detailed response tomorrow and suggesting a willingness to cancel the software company’s contract if the blacklist allegation is proven true.
First Piper 