UP ends prepaid smart meters, shifts all power connections back to postpaid

Uttar Pradesh government has scrapped mandatory prepaid smart meters and reverted all power connections to postpaid billing following consumer complaints.

In Short

• Power connections return to postpaid mode with monthly billing
• New connections get smart meters in postpaid mode only
• Outstanding bill dues can be cleared in instalments

The Uttar Pradesh government has scrapped the mandatory use of prepaid smart meters for electricity consumers, reverting to a postpaid billing system in a move expected to provide relief to lakhs of users across the state.

All power connections will now operate in postpaid mode, allowing consumers to pay their bills after usage, as per the earlier system. Officials said monthly billing will resume with a 15-day payment window.

New electricity connections, however, will continue to be issued with smart meters, which will function in postpaid mode.

The rollback follows reports of technical faults and repeated consumer complaints. Around 75 lakh connections that were shifted to prepaid mode over the past year will now be converted back to postpaid. The ongoing process of replacing old meters with prepaid smart meters has also been halted for the time being.

The decision comes amid widespread dissatisfaction among consumers, who had raised concerns over inflated bills, delays in restoration of connections despite recharge, and persistent technical glitches. Protests were reported from several parts of the state.

Against the backdrop of growing public anger during the election period, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath had constituted a high-level committee to review the issue. Energy Minister AK Sharma later announced that all smart meters would operate in postpaid mode, with monthly bills to be delivered via SMS and WhatsApp.

“The billing cycle will remain similar to the earlier postpaid system. Consumers will receive monthly bills through SMS and WhatsApp and will be given adequate time to make payments,” Sharma said, adding that the move would benefit a large number of consumers.

Under the revised system, electricity bills will be generated for consumption from the first to the last day of each month and delivered by the 10th. Consumers will have 15 days from the billing date to make payments, with the due date clearly specified.

Consumers who do not receive their bills can access them via WhatsApp chatbots using their connection number or lodge complaints through the 1912 helpline portal. Those who have changed their mobile numbers have been advised to update their details to continue receiving bill alerts.

In another relief measure, consumers will be allowed to clear outstanding dues till April 30 in up to 10 instalments. Special camps will be organised at division and sub-division levels in May and June to address smart meter-related billing grievances.

The minister added that in cases where security deposits were refunded following the shift to prepaid meters, the amount will now be recovered in four instalments instead of a lump sum.

The government has also directed officials to ensure uninterrupted power supply, with strict instructions for immediate replacement of faulty transformers to prevent inconvenience to consumers.

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