VARANASI: Uttar Pradesh govt decided to implement a one-time settlement scheme in three phases starting December 15 for all electricity consumers in the LMV-1, LMV-2 (commercial), LMV-4B (private institutions), and LMV-6 (industrial) categories to provide relief in delayed surcharge.
According to a press statement, the first phase will run from December 15 to 31, the second phase from January 1, 2025, to January 15, and the third phase from January 16 to January 31, 2025.
This scheme is based on the principle of "Come early, pay in full, and gain more benefits," thus consumers can register in the first phase to receive greater benefits in surcharge relief. The amount of relief decreases with time or phase if there is a delay in full payment or if payments are made in instalments.
Under Purvanchal Discom, a total of 67.67 lakh consumers are eligible for OTS, with a total outstanding electricity bill of Rs 23,978 crores, including a principal outstanding of Rs 13,955 crores and a surcharge of Rs 10,022 crores.
Consumers can register under the one-time settlement scheme by depositing 30% of the principal outstanding through departmental division/subdivision offices, cash counters, public service centres, or the departmental website. During registration, consumers will have the option to choose between full payment or instalment payment for the remaining outstanding electricity bill.
The remaining outstanding electricity bill refers to the balance after deducting the registration amount and the permissible surcharge relief from the current total outstanding electricity bill. After registration, consumers can pay the remaining outstanding amount.
In cases requiring bill correction, consumers can request it before registration through the departmental division/subdivision office, the official website www.uppcl.org, or by calling 1912. Necessary corrections will be made to the electricity bill within three days of the consumer's request, and they will be informed. After bill correction, consumers can register and benefit from the scheme.
In cases of permanently disconnected defaulters, the payable amount after surcharge relief against the PD final bill will be paid online in full, and the PD will be finalised online.
Disputed cases and those pending in various courts will also be eligible for resolution, provided consumers submit a declaration stating that any legal action against them will be withdrawn after resolution and full payment. Consumers against whom RC was issued will also be eligible, but they must pay the collection charges due as per rules.
Additionally, urban consumers (with more than 2 kW) who defaulted under the one-time settlement scheme implemented on November 8, 2023, can only register with the option of full payment. After registration, only full payment of the remaining outstanding electricity bill will be allowed, meaning partial or instalment payments will not be permitted.
If a registered consumer does not make full payment of the remaining outstanding electricity bill within the specified period, they will become a defaulter. If a registered consumer fails to pay any instalment by the due date, they will become a defaulter. Upon default, the consumer will be deprived of the benefits of this scheme, and the surcharge relief and additional delayed payment surcharge up to the default period will be added to the electricity bill.
Currently, around 24,000 VLEs/agents from public service centres and fintech agencies like Sahaj, Saral, Vyomtech, BLS, etc., are active in Purvanchal Discom for registration and bill payment under the scheme. Additionally, 689 electricity sakhis are also active in benefiting consumers under this scheme. The govt is providing incentive amounts to VLEs/agents and electricity sakhis of fintech agencies and public service centres to help consumers benefit from this scheme.