LUCKNOW, Jan. 6 -- Uttar Pradesh's one-time settlement (OTS) scheme for power theft has received a tepid response, with just 12% of eligible consumers enrolling despite substantial waivers on offer.

The scheme, branded as Bijli Bill Rahat Yojana, covers penalty and compounding charges in cases of alleged power pilferage, along with regular dues. Those accused can avoid litigation by depositing the assessed amount under the scheme.

Official data shows 6.26 lakh power theft cases eligible for settlement as of January 1, 2026, involving assessed dues of Rs.6,367.23 crore and compounding charges of Rs.560.80 crore across five discoms. However, only 75,277 cases have been registered so far, translating into a participation rate of 12%, highl...