**Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh): Opposition Leader Raises Security Concerns Over Smart Meters**
Leader of Opposition Umesh Singhar on Monday labeled smart meters as “spy meters,” alleging that these devices are monitored and installed by companies with connections to Pakistan, thereby compromising the security of every citizen.
Speaking to mediapersons, Singhar urged both the state and central governments to respond immediately to these concerns. He also accused the smart meter project in Madhya Pradesh of fund misappropriation. According to him, one company involved in the installation has already been blacklisted in the neighboring states of Uttar Pradesh and Haryana, while others maintain links to Pakistan.
Singhar further cited warnings from the India Smart Grid Forum (ISGF) and the Government of India’s Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), stating that these projects could pose a national security threat as many management officials are reportedly Pakistan nationals.
He highlighted that for the Know Your Customer (KYC) process required for smart meter installation, these companies collect sensitive information such as Aadhaar, Voter ID, PAN, bank account details, caste, and land information.
Touching on potential technical vulnerabilities, Singhar pointed out risks including Bad Data Injection, Spoofing, Man-in-the-middle Attacks, Virus or Trojan firmware updates, Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS), and Energy Theft. With around 25 crore meters installed across India, he warned that each device represents a potential entry point, posing a serious threat to the national grid, citizen data, and privacy.
**Singhar Questions RSS Chief on PoK Reclamation Statement**
In a separate statement, reacting to RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat’s recent remarks in Satna about reclaiming Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK), Singhar questioned the government’s stance. Bhagwat had asserted, “we have to take it (PoK) back.”
Singhar responded by urging Bhagwat to specify a time and date for this action, while also calling on Home Minister Amit Shah and Prime Minister Narendra Modi to clarify why a ceasefire was called in the region.
*Story by Staff Reporters*
https://www.freepressjournal.in/bhopal/mp-news-smart-meter-installation-companies-have-pakistan-links-claims-leader-of-opposition-umesh-singhar