Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has asked the power utility UP Power Corporation Limited to ensure timely delivery of error-free electricity bills to the consumers. He said the consumers should not be harassed by delayed delivery of faulty bills.

Presiding over a review meeting of the Energy department on Saturday, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath emphasised the importance of raising public awareness about timely payment of electricity bills.

A presentation about the projects under implementation and future plans was also made before the chief minister.

The chief minister asked the UPPCL to launch a comprehensive awareness campaign on one time settlement (OTS). He said the focus was on infrastructure development in the first five years and now it should be on quality maintenance of the power distribution infrastructure.

He noted that just as people pay their mobile bills on time, they should also be encouraged to do the same with their electricity bills. To achieve this, he asked the department to establish a robust digital technology-based mechanism.

The chief minister also stressed the importance of installing smart meters across the state, highlighting that the public should be prepared for this transition as smart meters are essential for modern needs.

The chief minister directed that electricity bills should reach every consumer’s home on time and without any errors. He added that it is crucial to hold meter readers accountable for this.

The chief minister emphasised the need to educate consumers about the one time settlement (OTS) scheme so they are fully aware of the options available for settling outstanding electricity bills.

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath insisted that consumers should not be harassed over electricity bills under any circumstances.

He emphasised that if power is cut for maintenance, the consumers must be given prior notice about when and for how long the power supply will be disrupted. He advised using social media extensively for this purpose.

The chief minister emphasised the need to expedite the implementation of smart meters, highlighting their crucial role in enhancing ‘ease of living’ and providing genuine relief to consumers.

The UPPCL informed the chief minister that there has been an increase in the hours of power supply in the state. Despite the intense heat, except for minor local faults, the government has effectively ensured uninterrupted 24-hour power supply since March 15, with no electricity shortages reported anywhere in the state.

According to the officials, there are 3.45 crore electricity connections in the state, with an increase of 30 lakh connections over the past two years. They point out that as of 2024, the revenue generated amounts to Rs 70,000 crore, marking a 17 per cent increase compared to the previous year. Additionally, consumer turnover stands at approximately 92 per cent in urban areas and 51 per cent in rural areas.

The chief minister was apprised that in the state, 40 per cent of electricity bills are provided online, 32 per cent are paid at counters, and 30 per cent are processed through various e-wallets. Online services have been strengthened to include facilities such as increasing load capacity and updating personal details like name and address through the app. Additionally, an average of seven SMS reminders are sent each month to prompt payment of electricity bills.

The chief minister was briefed that Maintenance Month was observed during October-November, 2023, yielding positive outcomes.

Officials highlighted that the average electricity demand has surged during April, May and June in the state. On normal summer days, the demand ranges between 27,000 MW to 28,000 MW, whereas during intense heat, it has peaked to 33,000 MW to 35,000 MW. It is anticipated to decrease following the onset of the monsoon season.

The UPPCL officials said that the installation of 10 thermal power units with a total installed capacity of 5,255 MW in the state was under progress. Work is also going on three big projects of 5,120 MW, Obra D, Anpara E and Meja II. Furthermore, efforts have been made to minimise transmission losses of electricity in the state to 3 per cent, achieving a considerable reduction.

Moreover, officials informed the chief minister about several major departmental projects scheduled to commence in Noida, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Kanpur and Lucknow. Additionally, as part of the first phase of the Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Project, one crore solar rooftops are planned nationwide, with 25 lakh in Uttar Pradesh alone. For this, 16.97 lakh registrations have been completed.

The chief minister emphasised the need for expeditious implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.