The Lucknow Central zone of the electricity department is set to take strict action against consumers who have not cleared their pending dues. Starting Monday, power supply will be disconnected for smart prepaid meter users who are running on a negative balance and fail to recharge their meters by this Sunday.
Mounting Dues Prompt Strict Action
Facing significant pressure to recover outstanding payments, the department has identified a large number of defaulters. Mukesh Tiwari, the Superintending Engineer (Commercial) of the Lucknow Central Zone, revealed that approximately 3,500 consumers currently have negative balances on their smart meters. The average outstanding amount per user is around Rs 8,000, leading to a total recovery target of nearly Rs 2.5 crore for the zone.
Tiwari issued a clear advisory to all affected consumers, urging them to make at least a partial payment by Sunday to ensure their power supply remains uninterrupted. This move highlights the department's shift towards a stricter enforcement regime for prepaid meter systems, where supply is directly linked to advance payments.
A State-Wide Problem of Unpaid Bills
The issue in Lucknow is a microcosm of a much larger problem across Uttar Pradesh. A recent report indicated a staggering statewide figure, where more than 29 lakh (2.9 million) smart prepaid meter users collectively owe a massive Rs 904 crore in unpaid electricity bills. All these users are living under the constant threat of sudden disconnection due to insufficient balance in their meters.
The widespread adoption of smart prepaid meters was aimed at ensuring timely revenue collection for power distribution companies and providing consumers with better control over their usage. However, the accumulating negative balances point to a compliance gap that the authorities are now determined to bridge.
Final Chance for Consumers
With the disconnection drive scheduled to begin on Monday, the coming weekend is the final window for defaulting consumers in the Lucknow Central zone to avoid the inconvenience of a power cut. The department's message is unequivocal: recharge your smart prepaid meter or face the consequences.
This crackdown serves as a stern reminder that the prepaid system requires proactive management from consumers. The onus is now on the thousands of defaulters to settle their dues or make a part-payment before the deadline to keep their electricity flowing.
