The tentatively-named Atal Distribution System Improvement Yojana (ADITYA) scheme will help power distribution companies (discoms) pare their losses and effectively monitor electricity consumption, Union power minister R.K. Singh said on Monday at Energyscape, The Mint Energy Conclave 2020 in New Delhi.
The scheme envisages states to approve a roadmap to make discoms viable by switching to prepaid smart meters within three years and also clearing their dues.
The scheme assumes importance as some of the states are recording power distribution losses of as high as 50%. Discoms are the weakest link in the electricity value chain, plagued by low collection, higher power purchase cost, inadequate tariff hikes and subsidy disbursement, and mounting dues from government departments.
