Before Diwali, people of UP get a shock of 440 volts, electricity connection prices increase 6 times.:

News Topical, Digital Desk : Before Diwali, an arbitrary decision by the Uttar Pradesh Energy Department threatens to plunge thousands of poor families into darkness . The department has mandated a deposit of ₹6,016 for a smart prepaid meter along with a new electricity connection . These meters are mandated to be installed free of charge under the central government's RDSS scheme. Despite this, this levy has been implemented in Uttar Pradesh without the approval of the Electricity Regulatory Commission . As a result, poor and middle-class families are now unable to obtain electricity connections despite their willingness to do so.

Awadhesh Verma, President of the Uttar Pradesh Consumer Council, called this a direct injustice to the poor. According to Awadhesh Verma, the Energy Department is charging six times the meter fee without the approval of the regulatory commission. This is completely illegal and should be stopped immediately. Verma stated that since September 10th, 174,878 new connection applications have been received, of which 56,251 connections have been issued, 34,737 applications are pending, while 23,192 consumers have not received a connection despite paying the payment. The most serious situation is that of 37,043 poor families who are deprived of a connection due to their inability to pay the six-fold increase in the fee.

Old and new rates

Earlier, a 1 kilowatt connection was available for Rs 1032 , but now one will have to pay up to Rs 6400 for the same , which includes a prepaid meter charge of Rs 6016 .

If illegal recovery is not stopped, Consumer Council will launch agitation - Awadhesh Sharma

Avdhesh Verma warned that if the Energy Department doesn't stop this illegal collection in the name of prepaid meters, the Consumer Council will launch a movement. This decision is affecting the poor in the areas of the Prime Minister, Chief Minister, and Energy Minister, as well as the poor across the state, and is damaging the government's image. An ABP News investigation found several families in Uttar Pradesh who had applied for connections at the old rate, but when they learned that the rates had increased by almost six times, they started collecting money for the connection, but it seems unlikely that their homes will be illuminated before Diwali .