Lucknow, Nov. 26 -- In its latest zero-hike tariff order, the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has introduced a fresh set of consumer-oriented directives for discoms, addressing issues repeatedly raised during public hearings.

The commission has focused on gaps in billing transparency, prepaid metering, seasonal industry norms, TDS (tax deducted at source) compliance and supply conditions in multi-storied buildings.

One of the major directions issued this year concerns prepaid consumers, who, the Commission noted, were not being provided bills despite making daily advance payments.

UPERC has now made it mandatory for discoms to issue monthly bills for all prepaid and smart prepaid consumers, with final billing do...