Technical Glitch in UPPCL Smart Meter System Obscures Bills for Over 8 Lakh Consumers
In Lucknow, a significant technical malfunction has disrupted the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited's (UPPCL) smart prepaid metering system, leaving at least 8.48 lakh consumers unable to access their outstanding electricity bills through the UPPCL Smart App or the official portal. This fault has sparked widespread concern among users, particularly as the power corporation has intensified its enforcement of disconnection rules for unpaid dues.
Mounting Dues and Transparency Concerns
The visibility issue has compounded financial challenges, with at least 5.03 lakh consumers collectively owing Rs 212.13 crore in basic dues. Additionally, arrears totaling Rs 434.9 crore continue to accumulate, exacerbating the debt burden. Uttar Pradesh has installed 61.64 lakh smart meters, of which 47.43 lakh are currently operating in prepaid mode. A recent review under the RDSS smart metering project, conducted on January 16, revealed that 31.79 lakh consumers carry a combined 'negative balance' or outstanding amount of Rs 1,097 crore. This marks a sharp increase from the Rs 904.16 crore reported just a month earlier, highlighting the rapid escalation of unpaid bills.
Strict Disconnection Rules and Recovery Mechanisms
Following the review, UPPCL issued fresh instructions to initiate disconnections for consumers whose dues remain unpaid beyond the permissible limit. Under the new regulations, LMV-1 (up to 2 kW) and LMV-2 (up to 1 kW) consumers will face disconnection if their balance is overdue for more than 30 days. Reconnection will require them to clear at least 50% of the outstanding amount, in addition to adjusting arrears. Consumers who recharge 50-75% of the pending amount will be granted three days to complete the top-up, while those recharging 75-100% will receive seven days. Failure to make payments within the allotted time will result in fresh disconnection, with this relaxation offered only once per consumer.
For all other consumer categories, disconnection will occur immediately after the grace period ends. To ease the transition, an interim seven-day emergency credit has been approved. Reconnection will be permitted solely upon payment completion. The corporation has also activated an automated arrear-recovery mechanism, where a fixed percentage of each recharge is deducted to clear old dues. Specifically, LMV-1 domestic consumers will have 10-25% of each recharge adjusted based on the outstanding amount, while all other categories will face a flat 25% deduction.
Criticism and Calls for Transparency
The move to snap connections has drawn criticism from consumer advocacy groups. Avadhesh Kumar Verma, chairman of the UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad, highlighted that in three discoms—DVVNL, PuVVNL, and KESCo—8.48 lakh consumers were unable to check their balances due to the application fault. He argued, "Without transparency, any action based on 'negative balance' is unjustified," demanding that no disconnections occur until the technical issues are fully resolved. An official assured that the faults would be rectified before the end of the month, aiming to restore normalcy and trust in the system.
This situation underscores the critical need for reliable digital infrastructure in public utilities, as technical glitches can lead to significant consumer distress and financial implications. As UPPCL works to fix the fault, consumers remain in limbo, grappling with uncertainty over their electricity bills and potential disconnections.
