Smart Meter U-Turn: Uttar Pradesh Brings Back Postpaid Billing with 15-Day Window

In a significant relief for electricity consumers, the Uttar Pradesh government has decided to shift all prepaid smart metres to a postpaid billing system , allowing users to receive monthly bills with a 15-day payment window .

The decision follows directions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath to simplify billing processes and address widespread consumer grievances. Announcing the move after a high-level review meeting, Energy Minister A. K. Sharma said the revised system aims to improve transparency and ease of payment.

“The billing cycle will now mirror the earlier postpaid model. Consumers will receive monthly bills via SMS and WhatsApp, with sufficient time to make payments,” Sharma said.

Officials indicated that the rollback comes after persistent complaints over communication gaps, billing transparency, and tariff confusion under the prepaid system. Many consumers reported difficulties in tracking real-time deductions, understanding tariff calculations, and receiving timely alerts before balance depletion, often leading to unexpected power disruptions . The move is intended to restore clarity and reduce friction in consumer interactions with power utilities.

Under the new framework, electricity consumption will be calculated from the first to the last day of each month , with bills issued by the 10th and a 15-day payment window thereafter. Consumers who do not receive bills can access them through WhatsApp chatbots or lodge complaints via the 1912 helpline portal.

In another relief measure, pending dues until April 30 can now be cleared in up to 10 installments . Additionally, any security deposit adjustment previously refunded during the switch to prepaid metres will now be recovered in four installments instead of a lump sum .

To address billing-related concerns, the government will organise special grievance redressal camps across divisions and sub-divisions in May and June. Officials have also been directed to ensure uninterrupted power supply and immediate replacement of faulty transformers. Senior officials, including Additional Chief Secretary (Energy) and Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Chairman Ashish Kumar Goel , attended the meeting at Shakti Bhawan.