73 Lakh Smart Prepaid Meters Installed Nationwide: Key Highlights of RDSS Progress

India installs 73 lakh smart prepaid meters under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Learn about progress, challenges, and state-wise updates.

73 Lakh Smart Prepaid Meters Installed Nationwide: Key Highlights of RDSS Progress

New Delhi: The Government of India’s ambitious Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) has achieved the installation of 73 lakh smart prepaid meters across various states as of November 2023, Union Minister of State for Power, Shripad Naik, informed the Rajya Sabha on Monday. While a total of 19.79 crore smart meters have been sanctioned under the scheme, progress in some states remains significantly delayed.

Smart Meter Installation: Current Status

• Installed Meters: 72.97 lakh devices installed across states.
• Sanctioned Meters: 19.79 crore devices approved under the scheme.

States With No Installation Yet

Despite high sanction numbers, some states reported ‘nil’ installations:

• Tamil Nadu: Sanctioned 3 crore devices.
• Tripura: Sanctioned 5.47 lakh devices.
• Rajasthan: Sanctioned 1.42 crore devices.
• Punjab: Sanctioned 87.84 lakh devices.

Other territories like Andaman & Nicobar Islands and Puducherry have received sanctions for 83,573 and 4.03 lakh meters, respectively.

Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS): Overview

Launched with a massive outlay of ₹3,03,758 crore, the RDSS aims to address the challenges of India’s power distribution sector. Key objectives include:

• Reduction in AT&C Losses: Achieving pan-India levels of 12-15% by 2024-25.
• ACS-ARR Gap: Bridging the Average Cost of Supply (ACS) and Average Revenue Realised (ARR) gap to zero by 2024-25.

Components of the Scheme

Part A: Infrastructure and Metering

• Financial support for prepaid smart metering, system metering, and distribution infrastructure upgrades.
• Funds disbursed based on pre-qualifying criteria and reform benchmarks.

Part B: Training and Capacity Building

• Focus on training programs, capacity building, and enabling activities to support the scheme’s implementation.

Funding and Implementation

• Budgetary Support: Estimated ₹97,631 crore from the Central Government for the five-year period (FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26).
• Subsumed Schemes: Integrated programs such as the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), and the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP)-2015 for Jammu & Kashmir are included under RDSS, implemented as per their existing guidelines.

Challenges in Implementation

Despite significant progress in some states, several challenges remain:

1. Lagging States: Tamil Nadu, Rajasthan, Punjab, and Tripura have yet to begin installations despite high sanction numbers.
2. Financial Targets: Many state DISCOMs are falling short of meeting financial benchmarks tied to fund disbursement.
3. Infrastructure Gaps: Distribution infrastructure upgrades need to match the pace of smart meter deployment.

Government’s Focus Areas

Union Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw has emphasized addressing the challenges posed by the evolving energy sector. The government is committed to:

• Accelerating the installation of smart meters across states.
• Fixing accountability for DISCOMs to meet predefined benchmarks.
• Ensuring that the transition to smart prepaid metering systems is seamless and beneficial to end consumers.

The installation of 73 lakh smart prepaid meters marks a significant milestone in the government’s effort to modernize India’s power distribution sector. While the RDSS has laid a strong foundation, the delays in some states highlight the need for accelerated efforts and stricter accountability to meet the ambitious goals set for 2024-25.

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