On a day when many of the Trinamul Congress Members of Parliament asked questions on varied topics, Diamond harbour MP Abhishek Banerjee, who is parliamentary party leader of the Lok Sabha asked the minister of power on the progress under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) state-wise till September 2025, the reduction in AT&C losses achieved during the period, the progress of smart meter installation vis-a-vis target and the details of the financial health indicators of state DISCOMs under the scheme?
The minister of state in the ministry of power Shripad Naik replied today stating that under the RDSS, physical progress of only 34 per cent in loss-reduction works and 17 per cent in smart metering works has been achieved. While in the loss-reduction works under RDSS, West Bengal has completed about 53 per cent, ahead of Gujarat (49 per cent) and Uttar Pradesh (43 per cent).
Under the scheme, projects worth Rs 2.83 lakh crore have been sanctioned for loss reduction and smart metering works.
The reply stated: “Smart Metering works sanctioned under the scheme cover 19.79 cr consumers, 2.11 lakh feeders and 52.53 lakh distribution transformers (DT), totaling 20.33 crore. Till date, around 3.58 cr smart meters have been installed under RDSS. Smart meters have also been installed by distribution utilities under their own schemes in addition to RDSS. Overall, 4.93 crore smart meters have been installed across the country. Works under RDSS are to be completed by 31 March, 2028.”