On Thursday, Yogi Adityanath, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the rising concerns regarding exaggerated electricity bills from smart pre-paid meters, as reported by a government spokesperson.
During a review session with the Energy Department, Adityanath remarked, “Consumers are generally honest, and if they receive accurate bills punctually, they are willing to pay.”
The meeting revealed that more than 8.4 million smart meters have been installed across the state.
The Chief Minister called for the establishment of an expert committee to investigate the over-billing issues. He stressed the importance of enhancing the transparency and reliability of the billing and payment systems, ensuring that consumers receive timely and precise bills.
Adityanath also highlighted the need to build consumer confidence in the smart metering system and insisted on the quick and fair resolution of any complaints. “If the consumer is not at fault, their electricity service should not be cut off,” he stated.
The Chief Minister instructed both the Energy Minister and the managing director of the power corporation to personally assess the situation in the field, check the arrangements, and address consumer concerns efficiently, as per the spokesperson.
He also mandated that toll-free helpline numbers remain operational and that complaints be addressed promptly to avoid inconvenience to consumers, according to the government spokesperson.
Additionally, CM Adityanath cautioned the Vigilance unit of the Power Department against actions that could inconvenience the public, urging them to demonstrate sensitivity in their oversight activities.
The Vigilance unit, which consists of police officers, is tasked with identifying electricity theft and unauthorized connections, conducting inspections, and initiating legal proceedings, including filing FIRs.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister reiterated that ensuring a consistent, high-quality, and transparent power supply is a key priority for the government.
He emphasized the need for reforms in the energy sector to benefit all consumers, advocating for reliable supply, technical efficiency, and accountability.
Adityanath called for an acceleration of the smart metering initiative, a reduction in line losses, the digitization of consumer services, and improvements in revenue collection.
The spokesperson noted that electricity consumers in the state have surged from 16.5 million in 2017 to over 37.1 million by 2026, marking an increase of approximately 126%.
Domestic users represent 87% of total connections, while commercial and industrial sectors are the primary contributors to revenue.
It was also reported that the state currently possesses 12,247 megawatts of thermal capacity and 526.4 megawatts of hydropower capacity, with total profits amounting to ₹3,143 crores generated between 2021 and 2026.
Chief Minister Adityanath directed the swift approval and implementation of new projects totaling 5,600 megawatts, including Meja, Obra-D, and Anpara-E. He also urged for the expedited development of 500 megawatt solar and 50 megawatt floating solar initiatives, as well as the completion of the ongoing nuclear power survey as soon as possible.
In terms of consumer services, instructions were given to enhance grievance redressal mechanisms through the 1912 call center, online portal, social media, and WhatsApp, along with broader implementation of a single-window model.
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