In a significant move for electricity consumers in Uttar Pradesh, the government led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath has announced a halt to the installation of new smart meters. This decision comes as part of efforts to enhance the transparency and effectiveness of the electricity system. Energy Minister A.K. Sharma stated that consumers will not face immediate disconnections even if their smart meter balance runs out. Instead, they will continue to receive power for up to three days or until their usage reaches ₹200 for loads up to 2 kilowatts. Furthermore, households with recently installed smart meters will benefit from a 15-day transition period followed by another 30 days where disconnections will not occur. To improve communication, a five-level SMS alert system will be implemented to keep consumers informed about their balance. The government has also mandated that no disconnections will take place on Sundays and public holidays. A high-level technical committee has been formed to evaluate the smart meters, which includes experts from the Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur and other organizations. The committee is expected to submit its findings within 10 days, after which further decisions will be made regarding the smart meter rollout. Additionally, the government has launched a consumer guide and awareness campaign to educate the public about the benefits of smart meters.