Lucknow, June 22 (Representative) Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Saturday was informed that state power department has been successfully supplying 24-hour electricity without disruption since March 15, a major relief for consumers amid an unprecedented heatwave. Chairing a crucial meeting of the Energy Department reviewing the department’s presentation the CM emphasized the importance of raising public awareness about timely payment of electricity bills. He said that the manner in which people pay their mobile bills on time, they should also be encouraged to do the same with their electricity bills. He urged the department to establish a robust mechanism to achieve this. During the meeting the officials informed the CM that there has been an increase in the hours of power supply in the state. Despite the intense heat and except for minor local faults, the government has effectively ensured uninterrupted 24-hour power supply since March 15, with no electricity shortages reported anywhere in the state. According to the officials, there are 3.45 crore electricity connections in the state, with an increase of 30 lakh connections over the past two years. They reported that as of 2024, the revenue generated amounts to Rs 70,000 crores, marking a 17 percent increase compared to the previous year.Additionally, consumer turnover stands at approximately 92 percent in urban areas and 51 percent in rural areas.
The CM was informed that in the state, 40 percent of electricity bills are received online, 32 percent are paid at counters, and 30 percent are processed through various e-wallets. Online services have been strengthened to include facilities such as increasing load capacity and updating personal details like name and address through the app. Additionally, an average of 7 SMS reminders are sent each month to prompt payment of electricity bills.He was briefed that Maintenance Month was observed during October-November 2023, yielding positive outcomes. Officials highlighted that the average electricity demand has surged during April, May, and June in the state. On normal summer days, the demand ranges between 27,000 to 28,000 MW, whereas during intense heat, it has peaked to 33,000 to 35,000 MW. It is anticipated to decrease following the onset of the monsoon season.The CM was told that the installation of 10 units of 5,255 MW in the state is progressing rapidly. Work is also going on on three big projects of 5,120 MW, Obra D, Anpara E and Meja II. Furthermore, efforts have been made to minimize transmission losses of electricity in the state to 3 percent, achieving a considerable reduction.Yogi also stressed the importance of installing smart meters across the state, highlighting that the public should be prepared for this transition as smart meters are essential for modern needs. He directed that electricity bills should reach every consumer’s home on time and without any errors. “It is crucial to hold meter readers accountable for this,” he said.
The CM emphasized the need to educate consumers about the One Time Settlement (OTS) scheme so they are fully aware of the options available for settling outstanding electricity bills. He insisted that consumers should not be harassed over electricity bills under any circumstances.He said that while the first five years were focused on developing infrastructure, the emphasis must now shift to maintaining quality. Yogi emphasised that if power is cut due to maintenance, consumers must be given prior notice about when and for how long the power supply will be disrupted. He advised using social media extensively for this purpose.He emphasised the need to expedite the implementation of smart meters, highlighting their crucial role in enhancing ease of living and providing genuine relief to consumers.He was informed about several major departmental projects slated to commence in Noida, Varanasi, Ayodhya, Gorakhpur, Kanpur, and Lucknow. Additionally, as part of the first phase of the Pradhan Mantri Suryaghar Project, 1 crore solar rooftops are planned nationwide, with 25 lakh in Uttar Pradesh alone. For this, 16,97 lakh registrations have been completed. The CM emphasised the need for expeditious implementation of the PM Surya Ghar Yojana.