S Gopal Puri
Shimla: Amid rising concerns over transparency and public infrastructure, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has confirmed in the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly that tenders for smart metering projects had been awarded to Apaarva Private Limited.
Responding to a pointed question from BJP MLA Sudhir Sharma during the monsoon session, CM Sukhu clarified that the contract was awarded following a transparent, two-stage procurement process under central schemes like the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
While detailed tender documents were not released during the session, Assembly records indicate that HPSEBL (Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited) has issued numerous related invitations for bids in recent months. The smart metering initiative aims to improve billing accuracy, reduce theft and enhance real-time monitoring across urban centres.
CM Sukhu had earlier reiterated that over 6.5 lakh smart metres had already been installed in areas like Shimla and Dharamshala, with plans to expand further by February 2026.
MLA Sudhir Sharma alleged favouritism, questioning the selection criteria and transparency of the award.
CM Sukhu assured the Assembly that the tender followed ‘Quality-cum-Cost Based Selection’ (QCBS) and that Apaarva Pvt Ltd met all technical and financial benchmarks.
“No shortcuts were taken; this is a step toward better governance and efficient power supply for every household,” Sukhu emphasised.
Himachal Pradesh has previously faced challenges in financial stability related to infrastructure schemes.
Analysts note that while smart metering offers substantial long-term savings and efficiency, its success hinges on rigorous implementation and accountability.
