UP Power Corporation Sets Up Committee to Scrutinize Smart Meter Grievances
In response to directives from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has constituted a four-member expert committee to thoroughly investigate complaints regarding the quality and connectivity of smart meters installed across the state. This decisive action follows a comprehensive review meeting held on April 9, which was attended by State Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma and senior officials, where the Chief Minister explicitly called for a probe into the issues associated with these advanced metering devices.
Composition and Mandate of the Investigative Panel
The committee, formally established on April 12, comprises distinguished experts to ensure a rigorous technical assessment. The members include Prof Ankush Sharma from the Electrical Engineering Department at IIT-Kanpur, Prof Prabodh Bajpayee from the Sustainable Energy Engineering Department at IIT Kanpur, Tejas Mistry from the Electrical Research and Development Association in Vadodara, and UPPCL Director (Distribution) GD Dwivedi. According to sources, the panel members were officially informed of their roles and responsibilities on April 13, marking the commencement of their investigative work.
As per the official memorandum issued by the UPPCL Chairman, the committee has been tasked with examining all technical concerns raised by consumers and is required to submit its detailed findings within a strict timeframe of 10 days. The memorandum acknowledges that UPPCL has been receiving numerous complaints about meter quality and connectivity issues, even as the corporation maintains that the majority of the installed smart meters are functioning properly without significant technical glitches.
Background on Smart Meter Deployment and Consumer Concerns
The memorandum further elaborates that Uttar Pradesh has successfully installed approximately 85 lakh smart meters, which are reportedly operating smoothly under standard conditions. To enhance monitoring and reliability, distribution companies (discoms) have installed check meters for about 5% of the total connections as a precautionary measure. However, grievances related to meter quality and connectivity have been persistently reported from various consumer quarters, prompting the need for this formal investigation.
It is reiterated in the letter that the installation of smart meters is being carried out in strict accordance with the guidelines set by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). Notably, the CEA recently clarified that the prepaid mode for these meters is optional and not mandatory, aiming to provide flexibility to consumers. Despite this clarification, concerns have been raised by consumer representatives regarding the implementation practices.
Allegations and Demands from Consumer Advocates
Avadhesh Kumar Verma, a member of the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission's (UPERC) supply code review panel sub-committee and Chairman of the UP Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad (UPRVUP), has leveled serious allegations against UPPCL. He claims that, contrary to the CEA's guidelines, UPPCL has made prepaid-mode smart meters mandatory for new connections and is forcibly converting existing postpaid consumers to prepaid mode without obtaining their consent under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Verma has demanded that UPPCL immediately suspend the prepaid smart metering program until the expert committee submits its findings. He cites consumer interest and the need for greater transparency as primary reasons for this demand, emphasizing that any mandatory shifts should be halted pending the investigation's outcomes to protect consumer rights and ensure fair practices.
The formation of this committee underscores the state government's commitment to addressing consumer grievances and ensuring the efficient functioning of smart meter infrastructure, which is crucial for modernizing Uttar Pradesh's power distribution network and enhancing service delivery.
