Union Power, NRE reviews, monitors states progress under RDSS scheme

Union Power and the NRE Minister chaired the Review Planning and Monitoring meeting with states and state power utilities and evaluated the progress of the RDSS scheme. Emphasis was placed on the implementation of smart metering in pre-paid mode, highlighting the benefits of solarising agriculture feeders.
Recently, in New Delhi, the Review Planning and Monitoring (RPM) meeting with states and state power utilities was held. It was presided over by Union Minister of Power and New & Renewable Energy R. K. Singh and Krishan Pal, Minister of State for Power and Secretary (Power).
R.K. Singh commended all parties involved for their efforts in addressing AT&C losses throughout the nation, which led to an overall 5 percent decrease in AT&C losses in FY 2021–2022. He acknowledged the efforts made by States, which reduced AT&C losses by more than 3 percent from FY 2020–21 to FY 2021–22, and he appreciated the steps taken to accomplish such a reduction. These states include Tripura, West Bengal, Punjab, Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh, Haryana, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, and Karnataka. Few states, including Gujarat, Himachal Pradesh, Kerala, and Uttarakhand, received praise for consistently keeping their losses within acceptable bounds. Additionally, the states that haven’t been able to reduce their losses were instructed to start making plans to hit their RDSS loss reduction goals.
Emphasis was placed on the need to address inefficiencies in the distribution sector with a focus on loss reduction, maintaining accurate subsidy accounts, energy accounting, and ensuring the adoption of prepaid smart meters to improve revenue realisation and prevent unfavourable borrowing. Deliberations also covered a range of topics, including the financial viability of the power sector, fiscal responsibility, and the payment of GENCO dues. The significance of Time of Day (ToD) tariff implementation to guarantee flattening of load curves while maintaining appropriate pricing during solar hours was also discussed.
The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), an initiative by the Indian government to improve operational effectiveness and assure the financial viability of the distribution sector, was examined during the meeting, and the scheme’s state-by-state development was thoroughly discussed. The performance of the DISCOMs and Power Departments on a state-by-state basis, compliance with the RDSS Pre-Qualification Criteria, progress on the implementation of the RDSS, and other important factors such as subsidy and energy accounting, corporate governance, etc., were evaluated.

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