Uttar Pradesh Discontinues Prepaid Smart Meters, Shifts to Postpaid Mode

The Uttar Pradesh government has announced the immediate discontinuation of prepaid smart electricity meters across the state, converting all existing devices installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to postpaid mode. Energy Minister A.K. Sharma stated that this decision aims to prioritize consumer convenience and address growing protests regarding alleged excess billing and irregularities associated with the prepaid system. Under the new arrangement, consumers in all regional distribution corporations, including KESCO Kanpur, will receive bills after consumption, with May 2026 bills issued in June. Billing information will be sent via SMS and WhatsApp by the 10th of each month, with manual readings employed where network issues persist. Furthermore, all new electricity connections will exclusively be issued in smart postpaid mode. Security deposits previously adjusted under the prepaid system will now be recovered in four equal monthly installments. To facilitate this transition and resolve grievances, special assistance camps will operate from May 15 to June 30, supplemented by dedicated support through the 1912 helpline. This policy shift marks a significant change in the state's utility management strategy following public backlash.