Electricity consumers and compliance: trust, reciprocity, and socio-economic factors in Uttar Pradesh

With the government announcing 100 per cent household electrification in Uttar Pradesh (UP) under Saubhagya scheme, newly connected households are likely to place greater financial burden on electricity distribution companies (discoms) due to poor metering, infrequent billing, and inefficient collection of dues. In an attempt to improve the discom-consumer relationship, this study looks at the commercial losses attributed to domestic consumers, captures the consumer perspective and proposes a policy roadmap for sustaining reliable electricity supply in the state.