Lucknow, May 9 -- The Uttar Pradesh government has decided to discontinue the prepaid smart meter system across the state and convert all existing smart meters to postpaid mode with immediate effect. The government also clarified that security deposits earlier adjusted under the prepaid mechanism will now be recovered in four equal monthly installments through regular electricity bills. The move, announced by energy minister Arvind Kumar Sharma following directions from chief minister Yogi Adityanath, is expected to benefit lakhs of electricity consumers covered under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) smart metering programme. Under the new arrangement, consumers will no longer need to recharge electricity meters in advance. Instead, electricity bills will be generated after consumption, similar to the conventional billing system. Bills for electricity consumed in May 2026 will be issued in June under the revised postpaid format. The government has also decided that all future electricity connections in Uttar Pradesh will now be released only under the smart postpaid system. Domestic consumers with pending electricity dues till April 30, 2026, will be allowed to clear outstanding bills in 10 instalments. Commercial and other category consumers will be permitted to pay arrears in three phased instalments of 40%, 30% and 30%. To address complaints related to smart meters and billing, the state will organise special grievance redressal camps between May 15 and June 30 at electricity department offices across all discom regions....