The UP Power Corporation has submitted its reply to queries raised by the Electricity Regulatory Commission regarding the newly proposed Cost Data Book, stating that smart prepaid meters procured under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) are not meant for new electricity connections. The corporation also clarified that the meter price listed in the Cost Data Book has no factual basis.
Following this admission, the State Electricity Consumer Council has demanded that the approximately Rs 100 crore collected from consumers for new connections be refunded immediately. The council has also urged the regulatory commission to take stringent action against the Power Corporation.
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Council president Avdhesh Kumar Verma said the corporation has acknowledged in its reply that RDSS-funded smart prepaid meters are approved only for replacing meters of existing consumers, not for issuing new connections.
Despite this, the Power Corporation reportedly charged Rs 6,016 per meter from new consumers and installed RDSS meters for 1.81 lakh new connections, amounting to an “illegal recovery” of nearly Rs 100 crore.