The UP government offers consumers relief measures while halting the implementation of smart meters. Here's why.

The action is taken in the face of widespread opposition to the state's installation of prepaid smart power meters.

Ankush Pandey Ankush Pandey
Apr 21, 2026 - 13:14 Updated: Apr 21, 2026 - 15:08
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The UP government offers consumers relief measures while halting the implementation of smart meters. Here's why.
The UP government offers consumers relief measures while halting the

In order to guarantee continuous electricity supply for customers with low or zero balance, the Uttar Pradesh government has temporarily suspended the current installation of smart meters and announced relief measures, officials said on Sunday.

The action is being taken in the face of widespread opposition to the state's use of prepaid smart meters. The rollout has been put on hold until a technical committee provides its report, according to officials

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Six key things consumers must know:

During a review meeting at Shakti Bhawan in Lucknow on Sunday, Energy Minister A K Sharma stated:

  1. Even if their prepaid balance is depleted, current smart meter users will continue to get power for up to three days or until their dues exceed Rs 200 for loads up to 2 KW.
  2. For recently installed smart meters, a transition cushion has been included. In order to give customers time to get used to the prepaid system, Sharma stated that no disconnections will be made for up to 45 days, including a 15-day conversion period followed by 30 days.
  3. There will be a five-phase SMS alert. Customers will be notified one day before and after disconnection, as well as when their balance falls to 30%, 10%, or is depleted.

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  1. Stressing a "humane approach" in service delivery, the minister also ordered that electrical connections not be cut off on Sundays or public holidays, even if the balance goes negative.
  2. A consumer awareness campaign has also been launched across platforms, according to officials, and a FAQ paper about smart prepaid meters has been released in order to dispel myths and offer guidance.
  3. The UPPCL website, a WhatsApp chatbot, the toll-free number 1912, and regional contact numbers have all been added to the power department's helpline services for grievance settlement.

According to a government spokeswoman, the decisions were made in response to growing customer complaints about service continuity, balance deductions, and billing transparency under the smart meter system.

The decision, according to officials, is intended to allay consumer worries and resolve issues regarding the smart metering system. Authorities have been directed to keep an eye on complaints every day and make sure they are resolved quickly.

A four-person technical team made up of specialists from IIT Kanpur, ERDA Vadodara, and UP Power Corporation has been entrusted with evaluating the performance and technical quality of smart meters, according to officials. The committee is expected to present its findings within ten days.

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