Prepaid power meters not mandatory; defaulters may be shifted: Govt in Lok Sabha

The government on Thursday clarified in the Lok Sabha that installation of pre-paid electricity meters is not mandatory for consumers.

Replying to supplementary questions during Question Hour, Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar dismissed claims that the Centre is forcing households to shift to pre-paid meters in the same way as some private players.

Addressing concerns about affordability for poor farmers dependent on daily incomes, he said the system allows for small, flexible recharges lasting five to ten days.


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However, Khattar added that habitual defaulters—those who deliberately avoid paying electricity bills—may be required to adopt pre-paid meters to curb payment defaults.

He underlined that power distribution companies operate on commercial lines and must generate revenue to ensure uninterrupted electricity supply.

(With inputs from PTI)