This is a Category B Project under IFC’s Policy on Environmental and Social Sustainability. The proposed activities involve the large-scale installation and operation of smart meters across nine project packages in 3 districts of Rajasthan. The environmental and social (“E&S”) impacts are expected to be limited, site-specific, and reversible, and can be managed through existing mitigation measures and the application of good international industry practices (“GIIP”).

Key E&S risks and issues relevant to this Project include: (a) the adequacy of the Project SPVs’ environmental and social management arrangements, including reliance on Genus systems and capacity to supervise and ensure effective implementation of environmental, health, safety, and social (“EHSS”) requirements by subcontractors across dispersed project sites; (b) ensuring fair, safe, and healthy working conditions for direct employees and contractor personnel, with attention to labor compliance, occupational health and safety (“OHS”), prevention of gender-based violence and harassment (“GBVH”), and access to grievance mechanisms; (c) management of community health and safety risks, including prevention of accidental exposure to live electricity during meter installation, especially in dense settlements, and ensuring respectful engagement with consumers during household visits; and (d) risks related to consumer communication and stakeholder engagement, particularly the potential for resistance or complaints arising from inadequate information on the transition to smart metering.