Solar energy consumers in Gorakhpur suffer, face power cuts due to prepaid meters

News Topical, Digital Desk : Kumar Saurabh, a retired chief engineer from the Irrigation Department, visits the Raptinagar section office of the Electricity Corporation every five to six days. He submits applications to the engineers.

This application contains a single request: convert the prepaid meter installed on the premises to a postpaid one. Kumar Saurabh, aware of the benefits of solar energy, has installed a four-kilowatt solar power plant on his rooftop.

They say that as long as the meter was in postpaid mode, there were no problems. The engineers switched the meter to prepaid mode without my consent. I know how much electricity my solar power plant is generating, but it's not being deducted from my bill. As a result, my electricity is being cut off every day for outstanding payments. I'm frustrated.

Neelam Srivastava of Indraprasthapuram Colony has the same problem. After installing the solar power plant, there were no problems as long as the smart meter was in postpaid mode. Since the meter was in prepaid mode, the electricity drawn is being calculated, but the electricity generated by the plant is not being calculated.

The result is that Neelam Srivastava, despite supplying 12 to 15 units of electricity daily to the power grid, remains a defaulter. Her connection is being cut every few days. Like Kumar Saurabh and Neelam Srivastava, all consumers who have installed solar power plants and have prepaid meters installed on their premises are facing problems.

Bill generation has also stopped, have to be checked on the app.
Electricity bills of prepaid consumers are no longer being generated. These consumers have to download an app to check electricity consumption, outstanding dues etc. Complete information is available only on this app. There are many consumers who do not have an Android mobile phone, they cannot even download the app.

Consumers say that the engineers of the Electricity Corporation had told them that a message would be sent to the registered mobile number before disconnecting the connection, but this is not happening. If electricity does not come for several hours, then on asking, they are told to check the meter once, if the light is on, then understand that the connection has been disconnected due to outstanding dues.

Electricity is being disconnected even on holidays.
Consumers allege that there is no rule to disconnect the electricity of prepaid meter on Sunday, second Saturday of the month and festival holidays even after outstanding dues. Also, electricity cannot be disconnected in the evening, but this is not happening. Electricity is being disconnected not only in the evening, but also at night.

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