NEW DELHI: The Centre has approved assistance of more than Rs 1. 6 lakh crore for 12 states and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir for implementing measures in power sector. These include installing smart meters, cutting line losses and erasing gap between cost of supply and revenue realisation, with the aim of restoring financial viability of discoms (distribution companies).
Sources said Rs 88,000 crore alone is for smart meters, a key element in the Centre’s plan for tackling billing inefficiency and theft — major factors for the poor financial health of discoms. Tamil Nadu will be the biggest recipient on this count (Rs 19,235 crore), followed by Uttar Pradesh (Rs 18,956 crore). About Rs 75,000 crore is for measures to reduce line losses and developing institutional capabilities.
