DISCOMs in Uttar Pradesh have filed petitions for true-up for FY 2018-19, Annual Performance Review (APR) for FY 2019-20 and for determination of Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) and tariff for FY 2020-21 for the control period FY21 to FY25 before the UPERC in July, 2020. With reference to this, the Commission has issued a public notice dated 30.07.2020 in the matter, seeking comments and suggestions from the public.
Prayas (Energy Group)’s submission highlights several crucial issues and discusses some suggestions that can be implemented in Uttar Pradesh. A summary is provided here, while details can be found in the copy of the submission uploaded on this page.

Prayas’ submission focuses on the following:

• Process delay and inconsistencies in data filings by DISCOMs
  This year being the first of year of the new control period is crucial in setting precedence for the next four years. The submission highlights the need for timely processes, and provision of data in a comprehensive, text searchable format.
• Electrification status, sales, revenue, and tariff projections
  The submission in this regard focuses on the need for availability of accurate data on electrification in the state, need for modest sales and revenue projections, tracking sales migration, and rationalization of tariff slabs.
• Issues on revenue subsidy
  The DISCOMs have proposed DBT for subsidy delivery to consumers. The submission focuses on need for pilot projects for the same prior to large scale roll out of such plans and discusses some issues that might arise with implementation of direct transfer schemes. Additionally, points have been raised about treatment of additional subsidy and provision of disaggregated revenue subsidy data.
• Accountability of the smart meter rollout plan
  This part highlights the fact that UP DISCOMs cannot pass on the OPEX associated with roll out of the recent smart metering scheme, lack of clarity on smart metering status and need for including performance standards with respect to smart meters in the UPERC’s standards of performance regulations.

Further, Prayas submitted an additional submission to UPERC with the suggestion of introducing "virtual net metering" for governmental institutions to its regulations to aid better collection efficiency and for DISCOMs to meet their RPO targets.