UP: Energy minister asks for blueprint of RDSS scheme

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LUCKNOW: For effective execution of the Centre’s Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), Arvind Kumar Sharma, Minister of Energy, Government of Uttar Pradesh, has directed the distribution companies (discoms) to prepare a blueprint to provide electricity to the people of the state around the clock.

Sharma has directed senior officials in the Uttar Pradesh Power Corporation Limited (UPPCL) to monitor the progress of the implementation of the RDSS and told them to invite bids to allot work tenders to eligible agencies to execute work under the scheme as per Central Vigilance Commission guidelines.

The budget allocation for Uttar Pradesh is ₹5,000 crore.

The project aims to improve the quality and affordability of power supply to consumers by reducing commercial and distribution losses and cutting the cost-revenue gap to zero by 2024-25.

Sharma has also directed to convert the open wires into ABC (aerial bundled cables) in all the areas with population between 500 and 1000. To curb power accidents, he also ordered the replacement of loosely hanging electricity wires in the state. He further stated that a few of the urban local bodies had been expanded by merging villages and asked the officials to ensure the availability of power supply and infrastructure in those areas.

The Ministry of Energy aims to achieve ₹7,000 crore in revenue for the month of November and to also ensure that the state’s three crore consumers receive correct bills on time.

Mahesh Kumar Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary, Ministry of energy shared his personal experience and said that consumers must inform the UPPCL of any arrears against them. He mentioned that transactions of all such nature must be accounted for within three days and ordered action against billing agencies in the event of 50-60 per cent irregularities.

M Devaraj, Chairman of UPPCL has informed that the project has been finalized for Kanpur, Mirzapur, Sonbhadra, and Bhadohi.