The Uttar Pradesh government on Monday announced the discontinuation of the prepaid mode for smart electricity meters, directing that all such meters operate in postpaid mode. This decision follows numerous complaints from consumers regarding technical difficulties with the prepaid system.
Background of the Decision
Out of a total of 86.5 lakh smart meter consumers, approximately 83 lakh have prepaid meters. The majority of these are 1kW and 2kW consumers. The Times of India had been running a series on this issue for several months.
Official Announcement
Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma stated, "Following the direction of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, smart meters will now function like conventional postpaid meters. Consumers will receive monthly electricity bills instead of making advance payments. This move aims to provide relief to electricity users who reported problems with the prepaid system."
Revised Billing Arrangement
Under the new arrangement, electricity consumption from the 1st to the 30th of each month will be billed as usual. Consumers will receive their bills within the next ten days via SMS or WhatsApp. Payments must be made within the prescribed time frame after the bill is issued. The minister also directed that electricity connections should not be disconnected during the ongoing month cycle under any circumstances. Additionally, consumers with pending dues can pay outstanding amounts in up to 10 installments.
Suspension of Meter Replacement
As part of the decision, the replacement of old meters with smart prepaid meters has been temporarily suspended. However, the government clarified that resolving complaints related to already installed smart meters will remain a priority.
Consumer Advisory
Consumers have been advised to update their mobile numbers with the electricity department to ensure timely receipt of billing and service-related messages.
Timing and Future Steps
The decision comes ahead of the peak summer season. During a review meeting at Shakti Bhawan on Monday, the minister reiterated instructions to officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply and prevent inconvenience during periods of high electricity demand. The state government maintains that consumer convenience is central to its power sector policies and will continue to address feedback related to smart meter implementation.
Reactions
Avadhesh Kumar Verma, chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad, who has been instrumental in the smart metering issue, welcomed the decision. He said, "Consumers of UP welcome the decision taken by CM Yogi Adityanath. However, as a consumer representative, I demand that the government withdraw the FIRs lodged against farmers and others who staged protests against smart metering issues across the state."
