I observe a cluttered laboratory workbench laden with smart meters and accreditation certificates, hinting at compromised oversight.

LUCKNOW: The National Accreditation Board for Testing and Calibration Laboratories (NABL) has clarified in writing that the Hi-Tech Test Laboratory of Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Limited (MVVNL), Lucknow, does not have accreditation or approved scope for testing smart meters under IS 16444 (Part 1 and Part 2), the standards that govern smart prepaid meters.The clarification comes amid a dispute over a May 14 official statement issued by the MVVNL laboratory, which claimed that the facility was technically competent to conduct acceptance testing of smart meters with reference to IS 13779, IS 14697 and IS 16444. The lab had also maintained that its NABL accreditation and calibrated testing facilities made it fully capable of carrying out such tests.However, responding to a complaint raised by Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad (UPRVUP), NABL stated that testing under IS 16444 (Part 1 and Part 2) is not covered under the accredited scope of the laboratory.“The consumer body has sought to probe the matter in detail, as the laboratory’s written statement could create confusion regarding the actual scope of its accreditation,” said Avadhesh Kumar Verma, the chairman of UPRVUP.The matter is already under the scrutiny of the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC). On May 21, the commission issued a notice to the managing director of MVVNL seeking clarification on allegations that smart prepaid meters were tested at the laboratory despite the absence of accreditation under IS 16444 standards.Sources said MVVNL is yet to submit its response to the regulator.“With NABL’s clarification now on record and UPERC awaiting an explanation, pressure is mounting on the utility over the claims made regarding smart meter testing,” added Verma.