Uttar Pradesh Minister for Power, Shrikant Sharma, announced the immediate discontinuation of prepaid smart meters across the state. The decision follows widespread consumer complaints regarding billing discrepancies and practical difficulties in operating the meters.
Consumers had reported receiving inflated bills, often exceeding their actual consumption, despite using prepaid functionality. Issues included inaccurate readings, difficulties in recharging the meters, and a lack of adequate grievance redressal mechanisms. These complaints led to significant public dissatisfaction and protests.
The government initially introduced the smart meters to reduce transmission losses and improve revenue collection within the power sector. However, the negative consumer experience overshadowed these objectives. The minister acknowledged the problems and stated the government is committed to ensuring fair and transparent billing practices.
Approximately 2.2 lakh prepaid smart meters were installed in various districts including Lucknow, Varanasi, Ghaziabad, and Agra. All existing prepaid smart meters will be replaced with conventional meters at no cost to the consumers. The replacement process will be expedited to address the ongoing issues.
The discoms (distribution companies) have been instructed to prioritize the meter replacement and resolve consumer grievances related to billing errors. A dedicated helpline and online portal will be available for consumers to register complaints and track the replacement process.
The government will re-evaluate the smart meter program and consider implementing it in the future only after addressing the identified shortcomings and ensuring consumer satisfaction. Focus will be given to robust testing, accurate billing mechanisms, and effective customer support before any future rollout. The minister emphasized that the government’s priority is to provide affordable and reliable power supply to all citizens.
