UP smart meters relief: Prepaid electricity bills cancelled; Check new billing cycle & disconnection rules here

Uttar Pradesh government on Monday officially scrapped the mandatory prepaid system for smart electricity meters. Under the direct orders of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, all existing and future smart meters will now operate in postpaid mode, functioning like conventional meters where users pay after consumption rather than in advance.

The decision brings immediate relief to nearly 83 lakh households, the majority of whom are small-scale consumers with 1kW or 2kW loads. For months, families had reported sudden blackouts due to server errors and difficulties in recharging, leading to a series of protests across the state. By shifting to a postpaid model, the government has prioritized human convenience over an automated system that many found rigid and unreliable.

How the New Billing Cycle Will Work

As per TOI, Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma has outlined a transparent and predictable billing cycle to replace the erratic prepaid recharges. Starting this month, electricity consumption will be recorded from the 1st to the 30th of each month. Consumers will no longer have to worry about their lights going out at midnight due to a low balance.


Instead, a formal bill will be generated and sent directly to consumers via SMS or WhatsApp within the first ten days of the following month. This shift ensures that families have a clear grace period to manage their finances and pay for what they have already used, rather than being forced to pay upfront for an essential service.

No More Sudden Disconnections and Installment Relief

To protect vulnerable families, the power department has been strictly ordered to not disconnect any connection during the active monthly cycle under any circumstances. Recognizing that some users may have accumulated significant arrears during the technical confusion of the prepaid era, the government is allowing outstanding dues to be cleared in up to 10 easy installments.

Furthermore, the state has temporarily suspended the installation of new smart meters to focus entirely on fixing the technical grievances of those who already have them. Consumers are urged to update their registered mobile numbers at their local electricity office to ensure they receive their monthly bills and official updates without delay.

A Victory for Public Feedback and Farmers' Rights

As per TOI, Avadhesh Kumar Verma, Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad, welcomed the Chief Minister's intervention but noted that the journey isn't over. While the shift to postpaid billing resolves the primary technical grievance, consumer representatives are now calling for the withdrawal of FIRs lodged against farmers and activists who had staged protests against the prepaid system over the last several months.

(With TOI inputs)