(a) whether Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI) has presented a white paper to his Ministry regarding Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme based on their experiences;
(b) if so, the details thereof;
(c) whether any study on the basis of the recommendations of AGI has been carried out by the Government; and
(d) if so, the details thereof and the steps taken by the Union Government so far to implement these recommendations?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) FOR POWER, COAL AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY
( SHRI PIYUSH GOYAL )
(a) & (b) : Association of Geospatial Industries (AGI) had submitted information to Ministry of Power on the experiences of their members in implementation of Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme (R-APDRP). The suggestions of AGI were mainly in the nature of operational issues and guidelines for expeditious and effective implementation of GIS (Geographic Information System) related work under R-APDRP.
(c) & (d) : The recommendations of AGI have been studied in detail and various meetings have been held with AGI at Ministry of Power. In the meetings, AGI members have been informed that most of the points raised by them are already covered under RAPDRP Guidelines and which are being followed during implementation by utilities, such as finalizing of the town boundaries in Sq. kms for ordering the maps, streamlining of process of map procurement from National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC), training of utility personnel, formation of dedicated project management team, working of Information Technology Implementing Agency (ITIA)/Geo-Spatial Partner (GSP) in close co-ordination with utilities etc. These have also been highlighted by Ministry from time to time at various forums and review meetings to eliminate most of the implementation issues and have yielded results. AGI has also been informed that all the sanctioned and awarded schemes under R-APDRP are as per agreed contractual obligations between utility and ITIA, which cannot be changed post award.