Varanasi: UP govt will implement a one-time settlement scheme in three phases starting Dec 15 for all electricity consumers in LMV-1, LMV-2 (commercial), LMV-4B (private institutions), and LMV-6 (industrial) categories for relief in delayed surcharge.
According to a press statement, the first phase will be run from Dec 15 to 31, second from Jan 1 to 15, 2025, and the third phase from Jan 16 to 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 the 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 the Purvanchal Discom, a total of 67.67 lakh consumers are eligible for OTS, with a total outstanding electricity bill of Rs 23,978 crore, including a principal outstanding of Rs 13,955 crore and a surcharge of Rs 10,022 crore.
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 be offered the option to choose between full payment or instalments for the remaining outstanding bill.
The remaining outstanding bill refers to the balance after deducting the registration amount and the permissible surcharge relief from the current total outstanding bill. After registration, consumers can pay the remaining outstanding amount.
In cases requiring bill correction, consumers can request for the correction 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 bill within three days of the request. After bill correction, consumers can register and benefit from the scheme. In cases of permanently disconnected defaulters, the payable amount after the surcharge relief against the (permanent discussion) 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be eligible for resolution, provided consumers submit a declaration stating that any legal action against them will be withdrawn after resolution and full payment.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 the rules.
Urban consumers (with more than 2 kW), defaulters under the OTS implemented on Nov 8, 2023, can only register with the option of full payment. After registration, only full payment of the remaining outstanding bill will be allowed. If a consumer fails to pay the outstanding bill within the specified period, or an instalment by the due date, they will become a defaulter. tnn