Uttar Pradesh Suspends Smart Meter Installation, Launches Technical Probe
Acting on direct instructions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) has officially suspended all ongoing work related to the replacement of smart meters under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). This decisive move comes in response to escalating consumer complaints regarding meter quality and connectivity issues reported across the state.
Formation of Expert Technical Committee
To address these growing concerns, UPPCL has constituted a specialized four-member technical committee tasked with conducting a thorough examination. The committee's formation was announced following a high-level review meeting held on April 9, which was attended by State Energy Minister Arvind Kumar Sharma and senior power department officials. During this meeting, Chief Minister Adityanath emphasized the necessity for a comprehensive investigation into the problems associated with the smart meter rollout.
The expert panel, formally established on April 12, comprises distinguished professionals: Professor Ankush Sharma from the Electrical Engineering department at IIT Kanpur, Professor Prabodh Bajpayee from the institute's Sustainable Energy Engineering department, Tejas Mistry from the Electrical Research and Development Association (ERDA) in Vadodara, and UPPCL Director (Distribution) G D Dwivedi. A committee member has confirmed that while the formal notification to members was issued on April 13, the investigative proceedings have not yet commenced.
Committee Mandate and Official Directives
According to an official memorandum released by the UPPCL Chairman, the technical committee has been assigned the critical responsibility of reviewing all technical issues pertaining to the smart meters. The panel is required to submit its detailed findings and recommendations within a strict timeframe of ten days. The memorandum explicitly acknowledges that UPPCL has been receiving a significant volume of complaints concerning meter quality and connectivity failures.
Interestingly, the corporation maintains that the majority of the 85 lakh smart meters already installed throughout Uttar Pradesh are operating without major malfunctions. As a precautionary measure, UPPCL has installed check meters for approximately five percent of the total connections to facilitate enhanced monitoring and verification of meter performance.
Current Status of Smart Meter Implementation
UPPCL data reveals that over 75 lakh consumers have already transitioned to prepaid mode under the ongoing smart metering program. The official memorandum further clarifies that all installations are being executed in strict compliance with the guidelines issued by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA). It is noteworthy that the CEA has recently reiterated that the adoption of prepaid mode remains an optional choice for consumers, not a mandatory requirement.
Consumer Advocacy and Allegations
Despite official assurances, consumer representatives continue to voice substantial concerns. Avadhesh Kumar Verma, a member of the sub-committee of the UPERC Supply Code Review Panel and Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad, has leveled serious allegations. Verma contends that UPPCL has been effectively making prepaid meters compulsory for new electrical connections and for converting existing post-paid users without obtaining their explicit consent, all under the auspices of the RDSS scheme.
Additional Chief Secretary (Power) Ashish Kumar Goel has stated that any further decisions regarding the smart meter initiative will be taken only after the technical committee submits its comprehensive report. The state government's intervention underscores a commitment to addressing consumer grievances and ensuring the reliability and fairness of the power distribution infrastructure upgrade.
