Memorandum submitted to ACS Energy against increase in electricity connection rates Updated: Fri, 17 Oct 2025 12:24 (IST) State Electricity Consumers Council has opposed the six-fold increase in electricity connection rates by the Power Corporation. The council submitted a memorandum to Additional Chief Secretary Energy Narendra Bhushan demanding that this arbitrariness be stopped. In the name of smart pre-paid meters, rules are being broken and consumers are being charged more, while the meters under the central government scheme are to be installed free of charge. State Bureau, Lucknow. The State Electricity Consumers’ Council on Thursday submitted a memorandum to Additional Chief Secretary Energy Narendra Bhushan protesting the increase in the tariffs of new connections by six times by the Power Corporation without the permission of the Regulatory Commission. Remove advertisement just read the news It is demanded that this arbitrariness of the Power Corporation must be stopped immediately. The government’s image is tarnished due to six times more money being charged against the rules for electricity connections from poor consumers. In a meeting with Additional Chief Secretary Energy, Board Chairman Awadhesh Verma raised an objection to increasing the tariffs of new connections by six times in the name of smart prepaid meters. Said that smart prepaid meters are being installed in the premises of all consumers in violation of the rules. Power Corporation has proposed to the Regulatory Commission to increase the price of smart prepaid meter from Rs 6016 to over Rs 8000. If this proposal is accepted, the electricity connection rates will exceed Rs 9000 in future. He told ACS that smart prepaid meters purchased under the central government’s RDSS scheme should be installed free of cost in the consumers’ premises. Along with installing smart prepaid meters on new connections without the permission of the Regulatory Commission, Rs 6016 is charged as the cost of the meter. Consumers are not given the option of prepaid or postpaid connection, whereas it is mandatory to take the option under the Electricity Act-2003. By installing smart prepaid meters on new connections, the connection rates which were Rs 1032 so far are being charged Rs 6400. Verma said that the Additional Chief Secretary has assured to seriously consider this matter. He will soon meet the Governor, Chief Minister and Energy Minister on this issue.
Memorandum submitted to ACS Energy against hike in electricity connection rates – power corporations’ electricity rate hike opposed in Uttar Pradesh
