UPPCL Must Install Smart Metres In Govt Offices By March 31 Or Lose Central Grants: Centre

The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation (UPPCL) is under pressure to install smart prepaid metres in all government offices and buildings by March 31, or risk losing grants under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) from the central government. Concerns have risen within UPPCL's management about the potential stoppage of these crucial grants.

In response, UPPCL Chairman Dr Ashish Kumar Goyal has instructed the Managing Directors of all electricity distribution companies to ensure that smart prepaid metres are installed in government offices by the end of this month. The Managing Directors have been clearly warned that failure to meet this deadline could result in the central government withholding the state's RDSS funding.

To expedite the process, UPPCL has assembled dedicated teams of personnel to oversee the installation of the metres in government buildings across various feeders, with full cooperation from the companies responsible for the installations.

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Despite repeated directives, the companies tasked with installing smart meters have been slow in implementing the installation of smart meters in government offices and buildings. In contrast, the installation of smart prepaid meters for domestic and other consumer categories, which were scheduled to be done later, is being prioritized.

Currently, 10.54 lakh smart meters have been installed across the state, but only 17,444 of these meters have been installed in government offices and buildings. According to the Electricity Department, there are currently 1,14,186 electricity connections in government offices and buildings, classified as LMV-Four. Additionally, there are 5,232 LMV-Three connections for street lights and 62,264 LMV-Seven connections, which include government tube wells and water works.