Govt extends deadline for Rs 3.03 lakh cr schemes by December 31

The government has extended the deadline to state power distribution companies (discom) for submitting proposals for revamped electricity distribution schemes worth Rs 3.03 lakh crore by December 31. State power distribution companies (discoms) apply to participate in the scheme by October 31, as per the guidelines issued last week. Minister of Power R K Singh told the media that the detailed project reports (DPRs) submission deadline would be December 31, 2021, and no submission will be accepted, beyond that deadline. In discussion with the ministry of power Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) and Power Finance Corp (PFC), discoms need to formulate the action plans and DPRs. As part of the action plans, the distribution utilities will show specific activities and reforms needed to enhance their performance. By 2024-25 the scheme targets the Aggregate Technical and Commercial Losses (AT&C Losses) at the all India level to 12-15% down and bringing down Average Cost of Supply (ACS) and Average Revenue Realised (ARR) gap to zero, Singh said. He said the scheme envisions the utilisation of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Information Technology (IT) for system-generated energy accounting to facilitate energy audit and modernisation of distribution infrastructure for loss reduction and enhancement of power supply quality and reliability. As many as 3,875 Supervisory Control And Data Acquisition (SCADA) systems to be set up, in smaller towns, and 100 distribution management systems to be set up, in the bigger towns and cities under the scheme. Discoms would be able to take up works associated with aerial bunch cabling, underground cabling, and high voltage distribution systems installation. The scheme also provides for the separation of agricultural feeders and the separation and solarisation of agricultural feeders. Image Source Also read: Govt issues detailed guidelines to revamp discoms Also read: Ministry of Power announces ninth yearly ratings for state discoms