<h1>Smart Meter Rollout Paused as Consumers Challenge Billing Accuracy and Protest Electricity Rate Increases</h1> The West Bengal government will allow residential power consumers to opt out of smart meter installations following protests over allegedly inflated electricity bills. The state temporarily suspended new smart meter deployments for domestic users while continuing installations for commercial and government establishments. The decision follows public demonstrations in multiple districts where consumers claimed significant bill increases after smart meter implementation, despite the government's initial plan to help the cash-strapped utility recover outstanding dues.