The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to discontinue the smart prepaid electricity meter system across the state and convert the already-installed devices to postpaid with immediate effect, Energy Minister A.K. Sharma said on Friday. The move comes amid growing protests in several districts over alleged excess billing and irregularities linked to smart prepaid meters installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme.

According to an official statement, the decision was taken following directions from Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath in view of consumer convenience and grievances. Under the new arrangement, consumers will receive electricity bills after consumption, with bills for electricity used in May 2026 to be issued in June under the postpaid system.

The government has also announced that all new electricity connections in the state would now be issued only in smart postpaid mode. Domestic consumers with pending electricity dues till April 30, 2026, will be allowed to clear them in 10 instalments, while consumers of other categories will be able to pay in three instalments of 40%, 30% and 30%, respectively.

The government will set up special grievance redressal camps and assistance centres at offices of executive engineers and sub-divisional officers between May 15 and June 30 to address consumer complaints. The court will not be involved in this case, but the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited will oversee the implementation of the new system.