Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd (UPPCL) has defended its decision to revise the sanctioned electricity load of 46.68 lakh consumers, saying that the action has been taken in accordance with the provisions of the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Supply Code (Fifth Amendment), 2005.The clarification comes after the Uttar Pradesh Rajya Vidyut Upbhokta Parishad (UPRVUP) alleged that the exercise violated the Centre’s policy on smart meters and could increase financial burden on consumers.Speaking to TOI, UPPCL director (commercial) Prashant Kumar Verma said the sanctioned load of consumers was increased only where their maximum demand exceeded the sanctioned load for three consecutive months, as provided under the Supply Code.He said around 20 lakh out of the 46.68 lakh affected consumers were smart meter users.“The revised sanctioned load is calculated on the basis of lowest maximum demand recorded during the three-month period. The corporation regulates consumer loads according to the Supply Code,” Verma said.Responding to concerns over increase in load of consumers belonging to below poverty line (BPL), Verma said, “Households classified as BPL are eligible for benefits only up to a sanctioned load of 1 kW. If their electricity usage consistently exceeds that level, it leads to a load revision under the Supply Code. In such cases, they no longer qualify for BPL category and its associated concessions provided by the Corporation.”Meanwhile, UPRVUP questioned the move as well as the implications of load revision.The consumer body cited a Feb 9, 2026, written reply by Union minister of state for power Shripad Naik in the Lok Sabha stating that maximum demand penalty would not be levied on smart meter consumers.“The consumers in Uttar Pradesh have faced action through both maximum demand related charges and subsequent load revision,” said UPRVUP chairman Avadhesh Kumar Verma.“The load of many BPL domestic consumers was increased from 1 kW to 2 kW or more without prior notice, potentially affecting eligibility for subsidised tariffs,” he said.
