From next financial year, you will be paid for load shedding in your area as government is planning to introduce a mechanism from next year to levy hefty penalties on power companies for load shedding and make provisions for direct subsidy transfers to power consumers like LPG gas subsidy.
Union power minister RK Singh on Tuesday said that power distribution companies (discoms) would have to pay penalty for load shedding in any area across the country from the next financial year.
Power minister said discoms would also have to bear the financial burden arising from aggregate transmission and commercial (AT&C) losses beyond the base mark of 15 per cent.
“The proposals have been included in the Centre’s draft power policy that would be put in the public domain to invite suggestions from the public. The final policy will be effective from the next financial year,” Power minister said.
At present, the Electricity Act fixes universal service obligation on distribution licensees to provide electricity to all applicants and the penalty for non-compliance can extend to up to Rs 1,000 per day of default.
Earlier this year, ET had reported that government is also working on amendments to the Electricity Act to levy hefty penalties on power distribution companies for load shedding
The proposals are made explicitly to fix 24×7 power supply obligation on electricity distribution licencees.
Singh said, it has been the practice that discoms account for AT&C losses while claiming reimbursements from the government for the services they render while transmitting power. Once the new power policy becomes effective, discoms would not be reimbursed for the AT&C losses beyond the base mark of 15 per cent.
Singh was talking about the achievements made by his ministry in the last 48 months while addressing reporters from seven state capitals – Delhi, Jaipur, Lucknow, Patna, Guwahati, Jaipur and Bhopal – through video conference.
