Question : REDUCTION IN THE RATES OF T AND D

(a) whether the Government have made any efforts to reduce the rates of transmission and distribution of Power;

(b) if so, the details thereof; and

(c) if not, the reasons therefor?

THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )

(a) to (c) : Central Electricity Authority (CEA) had issued comprehensive guidelines for reduction of T&D losses in July, 1991 to SEBs and Electricity Departments. The guidelines enumerate various short-term and long-term measures that could be adopted for reducing both technical and commercial losses.

The Indian Electricity Act, 1910 has been amended through Sections 39 and 39A to make theft of energy and its abetment as a cognizable offence with deterrent punishment.

At the Chief Ministers` Conference/Power Ministers` meeting the State Governments/State Utilities have undertaken to adopt the following measures:-

- Compulsory metering at sub-stations and all major feeders would be introduced.

- Compulsory metering of all new electricity connections as also connections to the agricultural sector exceeding 10 HP will be undertaken and completed in two years.
- All electric supplies would be metered by 2002.

- Compulsory annual energy audit of large consumers, that is 1000 KVA and above would be undertaken.

- Time of the Day Metering would be introduced for big power consumers for better load management.

The reduction of T&D losses can be achieved by SEBs/State Utilities by availing funds provided at concessional interest rates by the Power Finance Corporation (PFC) and undertaking the following activities:-

a. Installation of pre-paid electronic meter/electronic meters at the sub-station.

b. Conversion of LT line of HT line within the area served by the sub-station.

c. Installation of energy efficient transformers by replacing the existing ones.

d. Installation of electronic meters on all major feeders, consumers linked to high-tension line, agricultural pump sets and the domestic consumers.