State-run power distribution companies (discoms) will require to apply to the Union power ministry by December 31 to receive the Centre’s assistance under the recently approved Rs 3-lakh-crore revival scheme, power minister RK Singh said on Friday. As per the design of the scheme, loss-making discoms will have access to the Centre’s funds only after preparing a convincing programme for loss reduction, which has to be approved by the respective state governments.
Under the scheme to be implemented in the five years to FY26, the Centre will fork out Rs 97,631 crore. “Most states assured us that they will submit their proposals before October 31,” the minister said. He added: “We will provide assistance to states for strengthening and modernisation of systems so that distribution management systems, SCADA systems, smart grids and smart meters can be put in place. This will allow the whole distribution system to be controlled by artificial intelligence.” The idea is to address core issues of billing-collection inefficiencies and pilferage efficiently.
