SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has decided to convert the smart meters installed in the first phase into prepaid mode. Starting from June 2023, consumers will have to pay their electricity bills in prepaid mode.
Chief Engineer of KPDCL, Javed Yousuf Dar stated that at least 55,000 consumers will begin paying their electricity bills through the prepaid mode next month.
Dar explained that the smart meters installed in the first phase last year are eligible for prepaid conversion. He mentioned that consumers will pay their electricity bills through the “Smart Bill Sahuliyat Platform,” a mobile application. Consumers can recharge their accounts according to their preference, as there is no fixed amount.
In June 2023, consumers will start by clearing the pending dues for the month of May, after which they will be eligible for prepaid conversion.
Dar further added that after recharging, consumers will be able to check their balance and monitor their electricity usage.
“The prepaid services will initially be available for the 55,000 smart meters installed in the first phase,” Dar said. He also stated that the remaining smart meters installed thus far will become eligible for the prepaid services later.
In relation to this, the KPDCL has published an advertisement stating that consumers registered with the prepaid mode will receive a 2% discount every month.
The advertisement also mentions that consumers can register online, specifying that consumers with smart meters installed in the first phase of the project are eligible for prepaid conversion.
“Recharge your account regularly to keep your connection active,” the advertisement advises. It also emphasizes that this will help monitor the remaining balance and daily electricity usage through the Smart Bill Sahuliyat Platform.
In April of this year, the KPDCL announced that it will register all prospective consumers applying for new connections on a prepaid basis in order to keep up with the latest state-of-the-art technology and provide consumers with transparency.
A spokesperson stated that this significant step towards better reforms means that consumers applying for new connections will be provided with smart meters featuring prepaid functionality for bill payment. (KNO)
