Lok Sabha Question No. 4801 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2022-03-31
Subject: Impaired Power Transformers
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Sudarshan Bhagat

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4801

## ANSWERED ON 31.03.2022

## IMPAIRED POWER TRANSFORMERS

†4801. SHRI SUDARSHAN BHAGAT:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether most of the power transformers remain impaired due to large number of customers availing power supply from these low Watt transformers in rural areas of the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor, State-wise;
- (c) the steps being taken by the Government for its solution;
- (d) whether complaints have been received from the Gumla and Lohardaga districts of Jharkhand regarding improper implementation of power schemes; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF POWER AND NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

(SHRI R.K. SINGH)

(a) to (c) :      As per Electricity Act 2003, distribution of electricity is a licensed activity and  it  is  the  duty  of  a  distribution  licensee  to  take  necessary  action  for  repairing  / replacing the impaired transformers within a specified time limit as notified in Standards of  Performance  (SOP)  by  respective  State  Electricity  Regulatory  Commission  (SERC)  / Joint  Electricity  Regulatory  Commission  (JERC).    All  SERCs/JERCs  have  issued  the Standards of Performance to be followed by the Distribution utilities which also include the  time  line  for  repairing  of  any  impaired  distribution  transformer  in  rural  and  urban areas.

Government of India vide notification dated 31st December, 2020 have also notified  the  Electricity  (Rights  of  Consumers)  Rules,  2020  wherein  provisions  regarding reliability of supply by the distribution licensee, standards of performance, compensation mechanism,  provision of call centres for consumer  services, grievance redressal mechanism etc have been dealt with in detail.

The power supply to the number of consumers from a distribution transformer    generally  provided  by  respective  distribution  utilities  after  taking  into account the capacity of the transformer and the total contracted demand of  consumers being  supplied  from  a  distribution  transformer  with  a  view  to  avoid  overloading  of transformers.

……………2.

It is the responsibility of respective Distribution Utilities to regularly upgrade &  augment  their  distribution  system  including  power/distribution  transformers  to  avoid the  overloading  of  the  system  and  to  meet  the  expected  load  of  the  area  to  provide quality  and  reliable  power  supply  in  their  area  of  operation.  Government  of  India supplements the efforts of the States by launching various schemes from time to time to enable States to improve and augment their Sub-transmission and Distribution Infrastructure  including  transformers  in  rural  &  urban  areas.  Government  of  India launched DDUGJY, IPDS and Saubhagya schemes for providing funding to States/UTs for renovation and augmentation of Distribution Infrastructure in rural & urban areas in the country. Under DDUGJY/IPDS/Saubhagya schemes, central funding was provided to States for strengthening of sub-transmission and distribution network including Power /distribution  transformers  in  rural  areas  of  the  country  for  electrification  works  and  for providing reliable power supply to the consumers.

Government of India have recently approved Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme  (RDSS)  -  Reforms  based  and  Results  linked  Scheme  with  the  objective  of improving the quality and reliability of power supply to consumers through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient distribution Sector. This Scheme has an outlay of Rs.3,03,758 crore for over 5 years i.e. FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26, with an estimated Gross Budgetary  Support  (GBS)  of  Rs.97,631  crore.    Under  this  Scheme,  the  funding  is  being provided  to  the  eligible  Discoms  for  upgradation  of  Sub-transmission  &  distribution infrastructure  including  Power/distribution  Transformers  along  with  IT  intervention  and communicable system metering & installation of pre-paid smart meters pan India for 25 crore consumers, etc.

(d)  &  (e)  :          Government  of  India  launched  Deen  Dayal  Upadhyaya  Gram  Jyoti  Yojana (DDUGJY)  in  December,  2014  for  rural  electrification  works  including  separation  of agriculture and non-agriculture feeders, strengthening and augmentation of subtransmission & distribution infrastructure, metering at distribution transformers / feeders / consumers and electrification of villages across the country.

Integrated  Power Development Scheme  (IPDS) was  also launched in December, 2014 for strengthening and augmentation of sub-transmission &  distribution infrastructure, metering of distribution transformers/feeders/consumers and IT enablement of distribution sector.

No  major  complaints  have  been  received  from  the  Gumla  and  Lohardaga districts  of  Jharkhand  regarding  improper  implementation  under  DDUGJY,  IPDS  and Saubhagya Schemes.

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