UPPCL Launches Intensive 7-Day Campaign to Resolve Smart Meter Consumer Grievances
The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has initiated a comprehensive seven-day statewide campaign specifically designed to address and resolve the mounting grievances of smart meter consumers across the state. This decisive action follows explicit directives issued by Ashish Kumar Goel, the Additional Chief Secretary (Power) and Chairman of UPPCL, who has taken a firm stance on improving consumer service delivery.
Directives from the Top Following CM's Probe Order
The campaign was formally approved during a high-level review meeting held on Friday, which focused on power distribution works and infrastructure projects. Chairman Ashish Kumar Goel expressed significant concern over persistent delays in critical infrastructure projects and the backlog of unresolved consumer complaints, particularly those related to the new smart metering system.
This meeting came directly on the heels of an important development from the previous day. On Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath ordered a formal probe into the various issues plaguing the smart metering system, highlighting the government's serious attention to the matter. In immediate response to the Chief Minister's directive, Goel issued orders to all power distribution companies (discoms) under UPPCL.
The directive mandates that discoms deploy the majority of their available workforce into the field. Their primary mission is to directly contact smart meter consumers, understand their specific problems firsthand, and ensure the speedy and effective resolution of all reported issues.
Special Focus on Critical Consumer Categories
The campaign will place special emphasis on two particularly vulnerable groups of consumers:
- Consumers whose power connections were automatically disconnected due to a negative balance in their smart meter accounts.
- Consumers who successfully recharged their meters but did not get their power supply restored as expected.
Officials have been instructed to personally visit or contact these consumers. The goal is to thoroughly understand the underlying reasons for non-recharge or the technical failures that prevented supply restoration. Following this assessment, officials are tasked with ensuring immediate corrective action is taken to resolve the issue and restore normalcy.
Comprehensive Grievance Redressal and Infrastructure Push
Ashish Kumar Goel also underscored the critical importance of preventing incorrect billing, a major source of consumer frustration. He directed officials to ensure the immediate rectification of all billing-related complaints. A system of daily monitoring has been instituted for issues received through the statewide 1912 helpline to track resolution progress.
To bolster these efforts at the ground level, senior engineers have been specifically tasked with leading both smart meter implementation and grievance redressal activities in their respective areas.
With summer electricity demand rising sharply, Goel issued parallel instructions for infrastructure maintenance. Officials have been directed to expedite the maintenance of transformers, power lines, and substations to prevent outages. A stern warning was issued that transformer failures or power disruptions resulting from negligence would invite strict disciplinary action. Goel emphasized that sufficient funds, manpower, and safety equipment have already been allocated for these tasks.
Mission-Mode Revenue Recovery and Anti-Theft Drives
On the financial front, the UPPCL chairman directed all discoms to adopt a "mission-mode" approach towards bill recovery. This involves identifying underperforming officials in revenue collection and intensifying consumer outreach programs to facilitate easier bill payments.
Simultaneously, campaigns will be intensified to check illegal power use and to ensure compliance from defaulting consumers who are eligible under various electricity relief schemes. This multi-pronged strategy aims to improve both service delivery and the financial health of the power distribution system in Uttar Pradesh.
UPERC Constitutes Major 21-Member State Advisory Committee
In a related development, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has officially notified the constitution of the state's largest-ever State Advisory Committee. This 21-member body is formed under the provisions of the Electricity Act, 2003.
The committee will be chaired by UPERC Chairman Arvind Kumar. Its members will include key stakeholders such as Additional Chief Secretary (Power) Ashish Kumar Goel, the Managing Directors of all discoms, and consumer forum representative Avadhesh Kumar Verma, among others.
The primary mandate of this high-powered committee is to advise the commission on crucial power sector policies and to safeguard consumer interests, ensuring a more responsive and consumer-centric power administration in the state.
