Lucknow, Jan. 1 -- The Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) has issued a new Cost Data Book, making it significantly easier and cheaper for consumers across the state to obtain new electricity connections from the New Year. Under the revised framework, charges related to processing fees, security deposit, metering and allied costs have been fixed in advance, eliminating case-by-case estimates. Consumers will now be required to pay only a single predetermined amount, while all technical arrangements will be handled by the power department. A major relief for consumers is the sharp reduction in the cost of smart prepaid meters. The commission has fixed the price of a single-phase smart prepaid meter at Rs 2,800 and a three-phase meter at Rs 4,100, rejecting higher rates proposed earlier. For connections up to 150 kW, consumers will no longer need to arrange poles, transformers or conductors. The department will provide all infrastructure for distances up to 300 metres....