Bihar assembly rocked over pre-paid meters issue

The Bihar assembly was on Friday adjourned till 2 PM, within minutes of the commencement of proceedings, after opposition members trooped into the well demanding withdrawal of pre-paid electricity meters. Talking to reporters later, the opposition members alleged that Speaker Nand Kishore Yadav, who could make do with “only 10 minutes” adjournment to bring the House in order, chose to suspend the proceedings till after lunch “to protect the government”.
“Smart pre-paid meters have become a nuisance. The billing is so prohibitive that not just the poor but even those in the middle class are finding it difficult to bear the expenses,” claimed Congress MLA Ajeet Sharma, who had raised the issue during Question Hour.He also said that the House should set up a committee to thoroughly investigate any irregularities that may have taken place in the installation of such meters and suggest appropriate action.   The opposition members were visibly upset with a taunt from the Speaker, who had said inside the House: “You all were okay with smart meters till you shared power with us. But once out of power, you all seem to have changed your opinions.”