The 2^nd meeting of Group of Ministers (GoM), constituted for addressing issues related to viability of electricity distribution utilities, was held in Mumbai today in the presence of Shri Devendra Fadnavis, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Maharashtra, also holding the portfolio of Energy Ministry in the State, and Shri Shripad Yesso Naik, Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy as Chairman of the GoM.

Thiru V Senthil Balaji, Hon’ble Minister of Electricity, Tamil Nadu, Dr. Somendra Tomar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Energy, Uttar Pradesh, and Smt. Meghana Sakore Bordikar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Energy, Maharashtra attended the meeting. Shri Gottipati Ravikumar, Hon’ble Minister of Energy, Andhra Pradesh and Shri Heeralal Nagar, Hon’ble Minister of State for Energy, Rajasthan attended the meeting through video-conference. The meeting was also attended by officials from Central Government, State Governments and Power Utilities of member States, Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Ltd and REC Ltd.

In his opening remarks, Union Minister of State welcomed Energy Ministers from the member States and thanked Chief Minister, Maharashtra, for hosting the meeting. He highlighted the discussions held in the first meeting of the GoM and the collective efforts required from the members for improvement in power Distribution sector. He highlighted about 4 key parameters and their relevance to improving viability of distribution utilities viz. Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) Loss, Gap between Average Cost of Supply and Average Revenue Realised (ACS-ARR Gap), Accumulated Losses and Outstanding debts.

Union Minister expressed that every 1% increase of AT&C loss results in monetary losses for utilities in upwards of Rs. 10,000 Cr. He stressed upon the need for leveraging renewable energy (RE) for reducing cost of power in line with the initiatives taken by Maharashtra and Rajasthan. He highlighted about various short, medium and long term strategies to supplement the efforts towards viability of power distribution sector. He mentioned about the use of advanced technologies such as Artificial Intelligence for demand forecasting and power purchase optimisation, establishing mechanism for timely payment of Government dues, sharing best practices amongst DISCOMs, development of renewable energy, energy storage and expediting works under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), as the key interventions.

In his address Chief Minister of Maharashtra thanked Union Minister of State for having the 2^nd meeting of the Group of Ministers in Mumbai. He commended that the measures taken by the Government of India will have far reaching impact on making country’s distribution sector stronger and healthier. He highlighted about the energy distribution across different consumer categories in the State. He emphasised on the need for expeditious growth of renewable sources of energy couple with energy storage solutions so as to meet the future challenges of energy transition and growing power demand.

He further highlighted the efforts made by the State towards RE deployment under Mukhyamantri Saur Krishi Vahini Yojana facilitating day time power supply to farmers thereby reducing cost of power and reducing subsidy burden of the State. He mentioned that the State is expeditiously working towards solarization of all the Agricultural load feeders.

He assured for improvement in AT&C loss figures of the State in the coming years. He mentioned about progress made by the State under the RDSS. He highlighted the importance of Resource Adequacy plan, use of AI tools etc. He requested support of Government of India (GoI) for early release of Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) under RDSS, reintroduction of schemes like UDAY (Ujjwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana), lowering interest rates on loans charged by REC Ltd. and Power Finance Corporation (PFC) Ltd., and waiver or reduction in their prepayment charges. He urged for having regulatory relaxations for allowing surplus of DISCOMs towards infrastructure development and reducing debt burden before passing it on further.

Joint Secretary (Distribution), Ministry of Power made a presentation highlighting status of key financial and operational parameters of member States.

The contours of the Action plan identifying the ways to reduce the outstanding debts and losses of the Distribution Utilities and the means to bring them into profits, were discussed in detail.

State of Gujarat, as a special invitee, shared the best practices adopted and their journey toward making their DISCOMs profitable.

The member States actively participated in the meeting and presented the overview of State DISCOMs. They gave valuable suggestions for improving the financial condition of DISCOMs. State of Maharashtra, Tamilnadu, Uttar Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, and Rajasthan, made presentations covering status, reforms undertaken, best practices and way forward for the GoM.

PRAYAS group made a presentation highlighting reforms that may be undertaken for having a financially viable distribution sector.

The Group of Ministers reiterated its commitment and expressed resolve to take necessary measures for improving the financial viability of DISCOMs.

In his closing remarks, Hon’ble Union Minister of State mentioned that the inputs/ suggestions provided by the States would be helpful in shaping the policies and further course of action and urged the member States to work upon the action points that have emerged during the meeting.

It was also unanimously decided to have 3rd meeting of GoM in Uttar Pradesh in the month of March.

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JN / SK 

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