SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) is being implemented in Jammu and Kashmir to curb power distribution losses and modernise the power infrastructure.
Responding to a query from MLA Shakti Raj Parihar in the Legislative Assembly, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Power Development portfolio, acknowledged that J&K’s transmission and distribution (T&D) losses are among the highest in India. He pointed out that the losses are significantly higher than in neighbouring states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
“Our Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses stand at nearly 50%. For every rupee worth of electricity supplied, we incur a loss of about 50 paisa. These losses must be gradually reduced to levels comparable to neighbouring states, and RDSS is a key step towards achieving this,” Abdullah said.
Explaining the allocation of funds under RDSS, he stated that apart from smart metering, financial provisions have been made for “Loss Reduction (LR)” works. These include aerial bunched (AB) cabling, high-voltage distribution systems (HVDS), reconductoring, feeder bifurcation, and segregation, depending on the specific technical needs of each district. However, funds have been allocated at the district level rather than for individual constituencies.
The Chief Minister informed the House that ₹86.28 crore has been sanctioned for LR works in Doda district, with the projects awarded in September 2023. So far, Rs 17 crore has been released in two tranches, both of which have been fully utilised, while funds for the next tranche are being sought in accordance with the scheme’s guidelines.
Addressing concerns over the slow progress of RDSS projects, Abdullah explained that the tendering process for the package, including Doda district, faced delays due to poor response, requiring three extensions. The bid was finally opened on August 4, 2023, and awarded on September 8, 2023.
“Despite initial delays, work is progressing at full pace, with 12.25 per cent of the project already completed. At the current speed, Doda district’s RDSS projects are expected to be completed well within the scheme’s sunset deadline of March 31, 2026,” he said.
Regarding the scope of RDSS, the Chief Minister explained that the scheme’s Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) were prepared in two parts—Part A covering Loss Reduction (LR) works and smart metering, and Part B focusing on modernisation. While Part A has already been sanctioned by the Ministry of Power (MoP), Part B is still under appraisal by the MoP’s Nodal Agency.
“Once the Part B DPRs receive approval, modernisation works will be awarded as per the terms specified in the sanction order,” he added.
