Shri R.K Singh Union Minister for Power and MNRE has informed that Government of India launched the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) in December, 2014 under which Distribution Infrastructure projects such as Strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks in urban areas; Metering of distribution transformers / feeders / consumers in the urban areas; IT enablement works; Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP); Smart metering; Gas insulated Sub-stations (GIS); and, Real Time Data Acquisition System (RT-DAS) are executed.
So far, projects worth Rs.30,802 Crore [with Government of India (GoI) Grant of Rs. 19,322 Crore] have been sanctioned under IPDS covering project components outlined herein, of which GoI grant of Rs.16,717 Crore has been released to States/UTs.
Under IPDS, System strengthening and distribution (ST&D) projects covering 547 Circles in 33 States/UTs were taken up. Out of these, the distribution system strengthening works in 544 circles have been successfully completed.
Under IPDS, Central funding is being provided for strengthening of sub-transmission & distribution networks in the urban areas and metering of distribution transformers/feeders/consumers for reduction of Aggregate Technical & commercial (AT&C) losses. Funds have also been sanctioned under IPDS for underground (UG) cabling and Aerial Bunched (AB) cables and metering, which help in reducing AT&C losses.
Apart from IPDS, the Government has recently launched a Reforms based results Linked Distribution Scheme for Distribution utilities and a scheme for additional borrowings, both of which have linked financial incentives to reform in the areas of AT&C losses reduction and reliability of power supply. Reforms and financial incentives have been made inextricably linked to release of funds to Distribution utilities and States in this regard.