Integrated Power Development Scheme gets cabinet approval

The launch of Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) aimed at improving India’s sub-transmission and distribution network has finally got the Union Cabinet approval. The programme entails an investment of Rs 32,612 crore and requires a budgetary support of Rs 25,354 crore for the entire duration. The earlier scheme "Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms" for 12th and 13th Plans will get subsumed in this new scheme. The estimated cost of IPDS will include components of strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution networks, including metering of consumers in the urban areas. The scheme will help in reduction in AT&C losses, establishment of IT enabled energy accounting / auditing system, improvement in billed energy based on metered consumption and improvement in collection efficiency. Along with IPDS the cabinet has also approved Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, North Eastern Region Power System Improvement Project, and a framework agreement for energy cooperation among SAARC members. The North Eastern Project is to strengthen the intra state transmission and distribution system for Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Tripura and Nagaland at an estimated cost of Rs 5,111.33 crore, while the Deen Dayal project is for the rural areas, the scheme will replace the existing Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana. It is aimed at ensuring around eight hours of quality power supply to agricultural consumers and 24-hour electricity to households.