Zee Media Bureau
The Union Cabinet on Thursday gave its approval to launch "Integrated Power Development Scheme" (IPDS) aims at improving India’s sub-transmission and distribution network.
The scheme will help in reduction in AT&C losses, establishment of IT enabled energy accounting / auditing system, improvement in billed energy based on metered consumption and improvement in collection efficiency.
The estimated cost of the present scheme with the components of strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks, including metering of consumers in the urban areas is Rs 32,612 crore which includes the requirement of budgetary support from Government of India of Rs 25,354 crore over the entire implementation period.
The component of IT enablement of distribution sector and strengthening of distribution network approved by CCEA in June, 2013 in the form of RAPDRP for 12th and 13th Plans will get subsumed in this scheme and CCEA-approved scheme outlay of Rs.44,011 crore including a budgetary support of Rs. 22,727 crore will be carried over to the new scheme of IPDS.
The process of sanction of projects shall commence immediately. After sanction of projects, contracts for execution of projects are to be awarded by States Discoms / Power Departments. The projects shall be completed within 24 months from date of award.
