Uttar Pradesh's prepaid electricity meter system faces significant challenges, with internal data revealing that approximately 30 lakh out of 37.47 lakh prepaid consumers are drawing power despite depleted balances. This has resulted in unpaid dues totaling ₹879 crore. The prepaid system is designed to automatically cut off supply when the balance hits zero, but the continued service suggests either technical issues or relaxed enforcement, undermining the system's goal of ensuring advance payments and financial discipline for power distribution utilities.