UP Electricity News: If you also have a smart meter installed in your house, then this news will bring a smile on your face. After the decision to make smart meters postpaid, now Power Corporation is going to take another big step. The extra money collected from consumers in the name of smart meters will start getting refunded from this month itself.
A total amount of more than Rs 200 crore is to be refunded to about five lakh consumers of the state. If the calculations are done, each consumer will get around Rs 3200. The file for refund of this money is currently in the process of approval and will be finalized soon.
How did the game of over-extortion start?
The whole matter started from September 2025, when the Power Corporation had ordered that all new connections would be given with smart prepaid meters only. At that time, the prices of smart meters were not fixed in the ‘Cost Data Book’. Taking advantage of this, Power Corporation started charging Rs 6,016 from customers for single phase connection.
Later, when the Regulatory Commission released new rates on 31 December 2025, the price of the smart meter was fixed at only Rs 2800. That means about Rs 3216 more per meter was charged from the consumers. By the time it was banned, five lakh people had deposited this huge amount.
Consumer Council’s victory and Commission’s order
The Consumer Council had filed a petition in the Regulatory Commission against this extra recovery. After the hearing, the Commission took a strict stand and ordered that the extra money recovered be returned to the consumers. Although the Commission had asked to return the money since April itself, it was delayed due to technical reasons. Now sources say that this process will definitely start in the month of May itself and the work will be started as soon as the approval is received from the higher level.
No cash, money will be adjusted in the bill
Now the question is how will you get this money? Since the prepaid system has now been abolished on the instructions of the Chief Minister and all smart meters are being converted into postpaid, hence the money will not be received directly in cash. Your extra amount will be adjusted in the electricity bill.
A final decision is yet to be taken on whether this amount of ₹ 3200 will be reduced in the bill in one go or relief will be given in instalments. Earlier, when there was a prepaid meter, it was easy to return it through direct recharge, but now due to the postpaid system, it will be adjusted through the billing software.
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