Prepaid Meter: Big news for common people. Amidst ongoing dissatisfaction with prepaid smart meters, the government has taken a significant decision and moved towards eliminating them. After this, consumers will again receive their electricity bills under the old postpaid system. Smart meters will no longer be installed, and those that were previously installed will be switched to postpaid. Following the directives of CM Yogi, Energy Minister AK Sharma made this announcement and detailed the new regulations.
Electricity bills will now be issued on the 10th of each month, with payments due within 15 days, by the 25th. Additionally, there is good news: electricity will not be disconnected for customers with an outstanding balance of one month. There are also provisions for settling old electricity bills, which can now be paid in installments. A security deposit will be necessary, and arrangements for installment payments have been made for this as well. However, there has been no update regarding complaints about high bills following the installation of new smart meters.
The Energy Minister stated that all smart meter users will receive their bills by the 10th of every month. They will have 15 days to make the payment from the date they receive the bill. If smart meter users do not get their bills on time, they can obtain them by providing their connection number to the distribution companies’ contact numbers. These phone numbers have been made available for this purpose. Additionally, bills can also be requested by filing a complaint through the toll-free number 1912. AK Sharma has instructed that camps will be organized at the block and sub-division levels to address any billing issues faced by consumers.
Purvanchal – 8010968292;
Madhyanchal – 7669003409;
Western Region – 7859804803
Dakshinanchal – 8010957826
Kesco – 8287835233
Security will be paid in four installments. In the case of postpaid meters, connection holders must pay a security amount, while prepaid meters do not require any security deposit. Therefore, the security amount for consumers whose meters were switched from postpaid to prepaid has been refunded.
Now, when prepaid meters are changed to postpaid again, consumers will have to deposit a security amount. AK Sharma has ordered that the security amount should not be deposited in one lump sum but in four installments so that there is no financial burden on the consumers.
Prepaid meters were being forcibly installed in UP
During the last Parliament session, Union Energy Minister Manohar Lal Khattar made it clear that consumers have the right to choose whether the meter is prepaid or postpaid. Section 47 (5) of the Electricity Act, 2003, provides for this. The Central Electricity Authority (CEA) also issued a notification eliminating the requirement for meters to be in prepaid mode. Despite this, prepaid meters were still being forcibly installed in homes in Uttar Pradesh. People faced difficulties when their recharges suddenly ran out. This was causing widespread anger across districts. This anger led the government to be unwilling to take any risks in an election year. Finally, on Monday, the announcement was made to end the prepaid system.
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