Great news for electricity consumers of UP! Government took historic decision regarding changing meters

A very big and relief-filled good news has emerged for crores of electricity consumers of Uttar Pradesh. The Electricity Regulatory Commission has finally given its biggest and historic decision on the long-running dispute and tussle regarding smart meters in the state. The Commission has made it completely clear that now the consumers of the state will have full right to choose prepaid or postpaid meter as per their wish.

After this decision, now the electricity department or electricity distribution companies will not be able to put any pressure on any consumer to install prepaid smart meters against their wishes. Let us know what this whole controversy was about and what relief you are going to get from this new decision.

What was the whole controversy of smart meter?

In fact, there was a deep controversy in Uttar Pradesh for a long time regarding the fact that electricity companies were installing only prepaid smart meters instead of new electricity connections and replacing old meters. Consumers and the Consumer Council had strongly objected to this attitude of the electricity companies. His argument was that forcibly imposing prepaid meters is against the rules. Voices were continuously being raised against making it mandatory, after which this entire sensitive issue reached the doorstep of the Electricity Regulatory Commission. Considering the seriousness of this matter, the Commission conducted a detailed and long hearing of both the parties.

The most clear and strict order of the Electricity Regulatory Commission

After understanding the entire matter in detail, the Electricity Regulatory Commission gave its decision in favor of electricity consumers. The Commission issued a very clear order citing Section 47(5) of the Country’s Electricity Act-2003. The Commission said that any consumer is free to choose prepaid or postpaid meter as per his financial convenience, need and budget. Under any circumstances, the final and real right to select the meter will be reserved only with the electricity consumer.

Now there will be a complete ban on the dictatorship of power companies

After this tough decision of the Regulatory Commission, now the electricity distribution companies (DISCOMs) of the state will not be able to impose their will on the consumers. Now any ongoing connection cannot be converted into a prepaid connection without the written consent or permission of the consumer. It is a matter of relief that this new rule of the Commission will be equally applicable to both the applicants taking new connections and the old consumers.

For the first time in the country! The most historic step so far in the interest of consumers

The Electricity Consumers Council has wholeheartedly welcomed this historic decision of the Regulatory Commission and has called it a big victory for the consumers. Council officials say that Uttar Pradesh has become the first state in the entire country, where the consumer has been clearly given the right to choose the type of meter by law. After this decision, consumers will not have to make rounds of electricity companies and will be able to choose the right option as per their convenience.

You will get complete freedom in choosing the meter even at the time of new connection.

The Commission has specifically underlined in its order that whether a person is taking a new electricity connection or his old connection is running, in both the cases the consumer will have complete freedom to choose the type of meter. Electricity companies will now have to work within the strict rules of the Electricity Act at all costs. Now companies will not be able to convert a consumer’s old postpaid connection to prepaid secretly or without permission. This step of the government will increase transparency in the electricity billing system and the rights of the general public will be completely protected.