The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the discontinuation of prepaid smart meters for electricity consumers, shifting back to a postpaid billing system. This change is expected to bring relief to a significant number of users across the state, allowing them to pay their electricity bills after usage, similar to the previous system in operation.

All power connections will now function under this postpaid mode, and monthly billing will be reinstated, along with a 15-day payment window for consumers. Officials added that although new electricity connections will still be issued with smart meters, these will operate in a postpaid format.

Reasons Behind the Rollback

This decision to revert to postpaid billing comes after numerous reports of technical issues and complaints from consumers. Approximately 75 lakh connections that had shifted to prepaid billing in the last year will now transition back to the postpaid system. Furthermore, the government has paused the ongoing initiative to replace old meters with smart meters for the time being.

Consumers expressed dissatisfaction regarding inflated bills, prolonged delays in restoring connections after payment, and ongoing technical problems. Increased public discontent has been highlighted through protests occurring in various parts of the state, prompting action from government officials.

In response to the growing concerns during an election period, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath established a high-level committee to evaluate the complaints surrounding the smart meters and the associated billing practices.

New Billing Procedures to Be Implemented

Energy Minister AK Sharma, while announcing the change, stated that all smart meters would operate in the postpaid mode, with monthly bills being sent to consumers via SMS and WhatsApp. He mentioned that the billing cycle will mirror the earlier system, which should facilitate better understanding among consumers.

According to the revised billing system, electricity bills will be compiled for consumption from the first to the last day of each month and will be delivered by the 10th. Consumers will have 15 days from the date of billing to settle their payments. Clear due dates will be specified in the bill notifications.

For consumers who do not receive their bills, accessible options will include contacting WhatsApp chatbots through their connection number or filing complaints via a dedicated helpline portal at 1912. Additionally, consumers are encouraged to update their mobile numbers to ensure continued receipt of bill alerts.

Measures to Address Outstanding Dues and Consumer Grievances

As a further relief initiative, consumers will be permitted to settle outstanding dues by April 30 in up to ten instalments. The government plans to hold special camps at division and sub-division levels during May and June to address complaints related to smart meter billing.

Moreover, for those who had their security deposits refunded after moving to prepaid meters, the government has arranged to recover the amount in four instalments instead of a single payment. This initiative aims to ease the financial burden on consumers during this transition.

The government has also instructed officials to guarantee uninterrupted power supply and has emphasised the need for immediate replacement of defective transformers to avoid inconveniences for consumers. These measures are intended to enhance the overall efficiency and reliability of the electricity distribution system in Uttar Pradesh.

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