The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has decided to extend the deadline for the first phase of its popular Electricity Bill Relief Scheme-2025. Originally set to end on December 31, the scheme will now continue until January 3, 2025, allowing more consumers to avail of its benefits.
Overwhelming Public Response Drives Extension
The decision to extend the deadline comes after an unprecedented rush of applicants across the state. UPPCL chairman Ashish Kumar Goel revealed that the initiative has received wide public support, with close to 27 lakh consumers already registering. This massive participation has contributed approximately Rs 2,900 crore in revenue for the corporation. As the original December 31 deadline approached, relief camps set up in various districts experienced heavy footfall, prompting the extension to ensure no eligible beneficiary is left out.
Scheme Details and Eligibility Criteria
Launched on December 1, 2024, the scheme is designed as a major support system for poor and middle-class households struggling with long-pending electricity dues. State Power Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma emphasized that the relief targets those burdened by arrears for years. The scheme offers substantial concessions:
- 100% waiver on interest accumulated on pending bills.
- 25% reduction in the principal amount owed.
- Settlement of electricity theft cases without the need for court proceedings.
Minister Sharma clarified an important eligibility condition: consumers who had never paid bills before but made at least one payment between March 2025 and November 30, 2025, can also apply for relief under this scheme.
On-Ground Impact and Ministerial Directives
The minister virtually interacted with consumers at camps in districts like Azamgarh, Ballia, Mau, and Prayagraj. Many beneficiaries shared that the initiative had alleviated stress stemming from unpaid bills accumulated over nearly two decades, allowing them to clear dues with dignity. Officials reported that camp operations were conducted smoothly and transparently, earning praise from both the minister and the public.
Minister Sharma issued clear instructions to officials to ensure no camp is closed while consumers are still waiting. He also directed UPPCL to resolve technical glitches that are preventing some consumers, particularly those who paid multiple installments after March, from accessing the scheme's benefits. He called for broader outreach efforts to ensure every single eligible consumer in Uttar Pradesh is informed and can receive the intended relief.
