 "IPDS fund requirement in Odisha pegged at Rs 4,200 cr")
The IPDS scheme is aimed at strengthening the sub-transmission and distribution network including metering and IT upgradation of distribution sector. The existing Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (R-APDRP) which debarred private companies from availing funds, was subsumed in the IPDS scheme and the approved outlay for R-APDRP is carried forward to IPDS. All discoms, including private firms, are eligible for financial assistance under the IPDS scheme.
“The central government has so far disbursed only Rs 79.2 crore to Odisha under R-APDRP to Cesu (Central Electricity Supply Utility of Odisha Ltd). The IPDS scheme implementation needs Rs 4,200 crore and we are going to reiterate our demand to the Union ministry of power,” said an official source. The other objectives of IPDS are 24x7 power supply to urban consumers, reduction of AT&C (aggregate technical & commercial) loss, improvement in billing efficiency and collection efficiency. Presently, the AT&C loss in the state stands at 39.72 per cent.
Apart from IPDS, the state government will also urge the MoP to allocate Rs 4,700 crore under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDGJY).
DDGJY’s objectives include electrification of un-electrified villages and hamlets (irrespective of population), strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure in rural areas and separation of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders.
According to the 2011 Census, out of 47,677 villages, 40,442 villages in the state have been electrified. Similarly, 5,167,284 out of 9,637,820 households have been electrified.