If your phone recently showed a negative electricity balance and you were sure you hadn't used much power, you are not alone. Smart prepaid meters are now part of daily life in both Jharkhand and Bihar, and the change has brought a few surprises. Here is what has actually been reported, in plain words, and what you can check on your side.
Where things stand
- Jharkhand: JBVNL's projects page lists 7,25,687 smart meters installed under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) as of March 2026. That includes 7,23,442 consumer meters, 1,359 distribution transformer meters and 886 feeder meters.
- Ranchi: The Times of India reported that out of about 4,30,000 connections in the city, around 4,10,000 had smart meters, with the remaining 20,000 being replaced. JBVNL credited the meters for a record Rs 104 crore collection in June.
- Bihar: Dainik Jagran (Darbhanga) and Times Now Navbharat reported that many NBPDCL prepaid consumers saw large one-time deductions. The company said fixed charges from June and July had not been deducted month by month because of a technical issue after a software change. They were then deducted together in August. The company also expressed regret for the inconvenience.
Why the balance can suddenly drop
A prepaid smart meter does not only deduct for units used. Depending on your tariff, it can also deduct fixed or demand charges and other adjustments. When several months of these are added in one go, as happened in Bihar, the balance can fall sharply even on a quiet month. In Ranchi, JBVNL said supply cuts off automatically when the balance runs out, and is restored within about 30 minutes after you recharge.
What to do if your balance looks wrong
- Read the SMS or app breakdown first. Check whether the deduction says fixed charge, arrears or adjustment.
- Compare with your earlier bills. A sudden jump with no change in usage is worth a complaint.
- Keep screenshots of the balance, the recharge receipts and the messages.
- Use your DISCOM's official app or portal, or call the 1912 helpline, to raise a complaint.
- Keep a small buffer balance, especially before weekends and holidays.
Your wiring matters more now
With a smart meter, your consumption is recorded much more precisely. That makes it a good time to look at what happens after the meter:
- Know your sanctioned load. If you have added ACs, geysers or a motor, your connected load may now be higher than what you applied for.
- Check for leakage. Old, damp or damaged wiring can leak current to earth. An RCCB on the incoming side will trip on such leakage, which protects people and helps you spot the problem.
- Spread heavy loads. Separate circuits with correctly rated MCBs for the kitchen, AC and geyser make tripping easier to trace.
- Use efficient appliances. LED lighting and BLDC fans reduce the units you pay for every day.
Billing disputes belong with your DISCOM. If you want to tidy up the switchgear on your side of the meter, ATRICL in Ranchi supplies MCBs, RCCBs and distribution boards, along with Ledure and Greatwhite lighting and Khul BLDC fans, across Jharkhand and Bihar.
This article is general information, not a substitute for a site inspection. Electrical work should always be done by a qualified, licensed electrician. ATRICL is GeM-registered.