The J&K Power Development Department with the support of Power Finance Corporation PFC Ltd. (a CPSU of Ministry of Power, Government of India), organised 2-day Capacity Building Workshop on the topic "Advanced Technological Intervention in Power Sector” for Engineers of the Power Development Department in the run up to the implementation of Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
The workshop, held in Holy Town of Katra, was attended by all the senior officers of the Power Development Department from Chief Engineer to Assistant Ex. Engineer. The PFC Ltd. has been nominated as nodal agency for facilitating the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
The scheme envisages Reduction of AT&C losses to pan-India levels of 12-15% by 2024-25; Reduction of ACS-ARR gap to zero by 2024-25 and Improvement in the quality, reliability and affordability of power supply to consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient distribution sector.
In addition, the Scheme calls for an annual appraisal of the DISCOM performance against predefined and agreed upon performance trajectories including AT&C losses, ACS-ARR gaps, infrastructure upgrade performance, consumer services, hours of supply, etc.
DISCOMs have to score a minimum of 60% of marks and clear a minimum bar in respect to certain parameters to be eligible for funding against the Scheme in that year.Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, J&K H. Rajesh Prasad, attended the workshop through virtual mode and laid emphasis on reducing Aggregate, Technical & Commercial Losses (AT&C losses) and improving quality, reliability and affordability of power supply to consumers.
Further, he asked the engineers to learn and adopt innovative & new technologies continuously for the benefit of electricity consumers. The session was very interactive and participants are of the view to hold a series of workshops of this kind for proper implementation of the scheme.
The purpose of the Scheme is to help DISCOMs improve their operational efficiencies and financial sustainability by providing result-linked financial assistance to DISCOMs to strengthen supply infrastructure based on meeting pre-qualifying criteria.