To address rising complaints of overbilling and ensure greater transparency in electricity billing, the Ministry of Power Division has launched the Power Smart App under the “Apna Meter, Apni Reading” initiative. The app was officially introduced by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday.
The new system empowers electricity consumers to take control of their monthly bills. Through the app, users can snap a photo of their electricity meter on a specified date and submit it digitally. The monthly electricity bill will then be generated based on this photo, helping eliminate errors due to manual meter readings, delays, or human interference.
A spokesperson from the Power Division explained, “This initiative enables users to become active stakeholders in ensuring their bills are accurate.”
Key Benefits of the Power Smart App:
- Accurate Billing: Users submit real-time meter readings, reducing chances of overbilling.
- Protection of Subsidies: Low-consumption households (under 200 units) can retain their subsidised billing (around Rs 2,330) by submitting accurate readings. A small unrecorded increase can cancel the subsidy, pushing the bill to over Rs 8,000.
- User Control: Once a reading is submitted via the app on the due date, it cannot be overridden by a later reading—even if higher or lower.
- Transparency & Trust: The app reduces reliance on meter readers and builds accountability between consumers and power distribution companies.
The government hopes this tech-driven move will not only minimize billing disputes but also strengthen trust in the system, giving citizens more control over their electricity usage and costs.