State should strive to reduce AT&C losses to less than 10 percent: Power Minister

Minister Manohar Lal Khattar suggested prioritising the implementation of system metering for effective monitoring and accurate accounting of electricity supply in the state.

The Union Power Minister in a recent visit to Himachal Pradesh advised that the state should expeditiously award and implement the works sanctioned under RDSS and should strive to reduce AT&C losses to less than 10 percent and eliminate the gap between the average cost of supply and the average revenue realised to minimise the financial burden on the DISCOM and, thus, the state. He suggested prioritising the implementation of system metering for effective monitoring and accurate accounting of electricity supply in the state. He mentioned that system metering would go a long way toward efficient energy accounting and the identification of high-loss areas. He emphasised the initiatives taken under Ease of Living (EoL) to improve the consumer experience concerning electricity services. The Minister was on a visit to the state for a review meeting.

He also emphasised that the State of Himachal Pradesh has a huge hydro-power potential that should be effectively utilised and the joint efforts of the Centre and the State would go a long way in tapping this potential, thereby increasing the generation of power. He further emphasised that the GoI has set an ambitious target of installing 500 GW of power from non-fossil fuel sources, such as solar, wind, etc., by 2030, in which hydroelectric projects, including pump storage projects (PSP), play a vital role.

The Union Minister of Power assured the continued support and cooperation of the Government of India in the overall development of the state. He highlighted the role of RDSS in bringing improvements to the electricity distribution sector and in strengthening electricity distribution infrastructure in remote areas of the state. He mentioned the works sanctioned for electrification under the border infrastructure and Vibrant Villages Programme.

The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu welcomed the Minister for his visit to Chandigarh of Himachal Pradesh in respect of issues related to urban development and the power sector. He assured of taking the necessary measures for expeditious award and implementation of the distribution infrastructure. He further assured that seeing the benefits that system metering would offer, the work for the same under RDSS would be executed on priority. He also suggested that NTPC may be engaged to explore the option of converting waste to charcoal products to improve waste management. The progress of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in the state was reviewed in the meeting. Issues related to the hydro sector, power sector reforms, and measures taken to facilitate ease of living through electricity and power transmission were discussed. The state government raised its concerns and gave suggestions on the issues presented.

In his address, Minister Khattar welcomed all the dignitaries to the meeting. He mentioned that his visit to the state would help in a better understanding of the issues and their resolution. CM Sukhvinder Singh and Vikramaditya Singh, Minister for Public Works, Himachal Pradesh, were present at the meeting. The meeting was attended by senior officials from the state government and officials from the central government ministries of Housing and Urban Affairs and Power.