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Uttar Pradesh’s Energy Minister AK Sharma has announced the initiation of a one-time settlement scheme (OTS) to aid power consumers in clearing their outstanding dues without incurring additional surcharge costs. The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) will implement the scheme in three phases spanning 54 days, commencing from November 8 and concluding on December 31.
Under the scheme, consumers, including domestic, agricultural, commercial, industrial, and private institutions, can clear their arrears without paying the surcharge if they settle the principal amount either in one go or through installments. Additionally, consumers previously penalized for electricity theft will receive rebates on summon/compounding charges.
During the scheme’s first and second phases, consumers with loads up to 1 kW will receive a 100% surcharge waiver, reducing to 80% in the third phase. Those opting for a 12-installment payment plan will receive a 90% surcharge waiver in the first and second phases, decreasing to 70% in the third phase. Consumers with connection loads exceeding 1 kW can avail a 90% surcharge waiver in the first phase, 80% in the second phase, and 90% in the third phase by clearing their dues in one go.
The surcharge waiver applies to all outstanding dues until March 31, 2023, for agricultural consumers (private tubewells) and until October 31, 2023, for other consumers. The Energy Minister emphasized the importance of consumer participation in the scheme, urging them to clear their dues. The UPPCL introduces the OTS annually to recover outstanding payments, with the corporation having over ₹30,000 crore in pending dues from consumers across the state.
