(a) whether the Government propose to constitute District Energy Committees to
monitor effective power distribution;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with expenditure involved on these committees;
and
(c) the steps taken to improve poor financial health of the State Electricity Boards all
over the country?
THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER ( SHRIMATI JAYAWANTI MEHTA )
(a) to (c) : The Government of India has launched Accelerated Power Development
Programme (APDP) with the objective of providing systematic financing for renovation
& modernization and life extension of old generating stations and upgradation of Sub-
transmission & Distribution network in the country for financial turn around in the
performance of the State Electricity BoardS (SEBs). Under APDP special category
States get 100% for the project cost in the ratio of 90% grant and 10% central loan,
whereas; 50% of the project cost for non-special category States is met under APDP in
the form of half grant and half loan. The balance 50% of the project cost is provided as
loan by Financial Institutions. In the first phase, 63 distribution circles have been
identified for implementing the programme of Upgradation of Sub-transmission and
Distribution systems. It is proposed to take up all the circles in the country for
Upgradation of Sub-transmission & Distribution network during the 10th Plan. APDP is
expected to bring about reforms in the distribution sector and improve the commercial
viability of the power sector. It is proposed to constitute District Level Committees to
effectively monitor implementation of distribution network upgradation programme.