UP converts prepaid smart metres to postpaid, introduces monthly billing cycle

The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to convert all prepaid smart metres into postpaid systems, allowing monthly billing and providing consumers a 15-day window to make payments, officials said.

The decision follows directions from Yogi Adityanath to simplify billing processes and improve the resolution of consumer grievances. Energy Minister AK Sharma announced the move after a review meeting held on Monday.

Sharma said the billing cycle will remain in line with the earlier postpaid system. “The billing cycle will remain similar to the earlier postpaid system. Consumers will receive their monthly bills via SMS and WhatsApp and will be given adequate time to make payments,” he said. He added that the change is expected to benefit lakhs of consumers across the state.

Under the revised system, electricity consumption will be calculated from the first to the last day of each month. Bills will be issued by the 10th of the following month, and consumers will have 15 days from the billing date to clear dues, with the due date clearly mentioned as before.

Officials said consumers who do not receive their bills on time can access them through WhatsApp chatbots by entering their connection number or register complaints via the 1912 portal. Consumers who have changed their mobile numbers can update their details to continue receiving billing alerts.

In another 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 metre-related billing complaints.

The minister said that in cases where security deposits were refunded when connections shifted from postpaid to prepaid metres, the amount will now be recovered in four instalments instead of a lump sum.

The government has also issued directions to ensure uninterrupted power supply as per schedule. Officials have been instructed to replace faulty transformers immediately to prevent disruption.

Dedicated contact numbers have been issued for different regions, including Purvanchal, Madhyanchal, Paschimanchal, Dakshinanchal and Kanpur (KESCO), to handle billing-related complaints.
Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) and Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Chairman Ashish Kumar Goel, Managing Director Nitish Kumar, and other officers, attended the meeting at Shakti Bhawan, the statement said.