NEW DELHI, Apr 2: The Centre on Thursday informed the Lok Sabha that consumers are not obligated to install prepaid electricity meters, putting to rest concerns about compulsory adoption.
Replying to supplementary questions during the Question Hour, Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar firmly denied claims that the government was forcing households to switch to prepaid systems in the same manner as certain private sector practices.
Addressing concerns over affordability, particularly for economically weaker sections such as small farmers dependent on daily income, the minister highlighted the availability of flexible recharge options. He noted that consumers can opt for short-duration recharges ranging from five to ten days, making the system more manageable.
However, Khattar clarified that the policy may be selectively applied to habitual defaulters those who consistently avoid paying electricity bills. Such users could be shifted to prepaid meters to minimise revenue losses and improve payment discipline.
He further underlined that electricity distribution companies operate on commercial principles and must generate sufficient revenue to maintain uninterrupted power supply and infrastructure services.