Ministry of Power released 12th Annual Integrated Rating and Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities (DISCOMs) | Current Affairs | Vision IAS
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Ministry of Power released 12th Annual Integrated Rating and Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities (DISCOMs)

Posted 13 Mar 2024

Updated 27 Mar 2024

2 min read

  • Integrated Rating exercise (launched in 2012) is being carried out on an annual basis, with the aim of evaluating performance of DISCOMs.
    • It is conducted with the Power Finance Corporation as the nodal agency and rates the performance of 55 DISCOMs.
       
  • Key Highlights:
    • AT&C losses improved to 15.4% in FY23, reaching closer to national goal of 12-15%. 
    • Billing Efficiency improved to 87% and Collection Efficiency remained high at 97.3%.
    • Average power purchase cost increased by 71 paise/kWh during FY23, driven by growth in power demand, more expensive coal imports and higher exchange prices.
    • Subsidy disbursals by state governments crossed 100% with a few states supported financial losses of discoms through subsidy grants.
       
  • Legacy issues with DISCOMs:
    • Sectoral debt has been steadily increasing, mainly for CAPEX, financial losses, and working capital.
    • Discoms grapples with high quantum of trade payables to generation companies and transmission companies owing to stressed finances. 
    • Some states still have to clear substantial subsidy arrears, accumulated over a long period. 
    • High AT&C loss: due to discrepancy in meter, theft, collection inefficiency.
       

Initiatives taken

  • Ujwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana (UDAY): provides for the financial turnaround and revival of DISCOMs.
  • The Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) with a focus on smart metering, loss reduction works, and capacity building
  • National Smart Grid Mission for smart grid deployment.
  • Additional lending of 0.50% of GSDP for states on implementation of power sector reforms. 
  • Tags :
  • Integrated Rating and Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities
  • DISCOMs
  • Power Finance Corporation
  • UDAY
  • Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme
  • National Smart Grid Mission
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