Lok Sabha Question No. 2529 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-03-13
Subject: Implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Anil Firojiya, Shri Anil Firojiya

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2529 ANSWERED ON 13.03.2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF THE REVAMPED DISTRIBUTION SECTOR SCHEME

†2529. SHRI ANIL FIROJIYA:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

(a) whether new transformers, grids and construction of lines are being monitored through third-party audits under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) and if so, the way by which it is being implemented;

(b) the  details  of  the  agencies  appointed  to  conduct  third-party  audits  under  the  said scheme and the mechanism has been adopted for their selection in a transparent manner;

(c) whether  involvement  of  local  representatives  have  been  ensured  in  the  process relating to transformers and grids under the RDSS and if not, the reasons therefor; and

(d) whether the Government has a plan to co-ordinate with the public representatives in the entire process to ensure the local requirements and problems?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

(a) : Yes.  There  is  a  mechanism  for  Concurrent  Quality  monitoring  under  Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) which is being implemented by the Nodal Agencies i.e., REC Ltd. and Power Finance Corporation Ltd. through Third-Party Quality Monitoring Agency (TPQMA) which is in addition to quality checks and processes followed by DISCOMs.

The guidelines for Quality Monitoring by Nodal agencies through TPQMA  for distribution infrastructure works (including new transformers, HT/LT lines, power substations etc.), is approved by the Monitoring Committee of RDSS. The Third-Party Quality Monitoring Agencies are responsible for carrying out (i) Material Inspection and (ii) Field inspection.

(b) : The  details  of  agencies  appointed  for  third  party  quality  monitoring  of  RDSS  is attached at Annexure.  These agencies have been appointed through a single-stage two-Part bid process conducted in e-tendering mode on the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) Portal.

(c) & (d) : Yes,  the  Ministry  of  Power  has  constituted  'District  Electricity  Committee' (DEC)  on  16.09.2021  to  review  and  coordinate  overall  development  of  power  supply infrastructure  in  the  district  in  accordance  with  the  schemes  of  Government  of  India.  The composition  of  DEC  includes  the  Members  of  Parliament  (MPs),  the  Member  of  Legislative Assembly (MLAs), the District Collector, Chairperson/ President of the District Panchayat, and most senior representatives of Central Public Sector Undertakings (CPSUs) of the Ministry of Power  located  in  the  concerned  District  or  their  nominated  officials  and  Chief  Engineer/ Superintending  Engineer  of  the  Distribution  Company  (DISCOM)/  Power  Department  (PD). States have been advised to conduct meetings on regular basis.

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ANNEXURE ANNEXURE REFERRED  IN  REPLY  TO  PART  (b)  OF  UNSTARRED  QUESTION  NO. 2529 ANSWERED IN THE LOK SABHA ON 13.03.2025

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List of Third-Party Quality Monitoring Agencies under RDSS

| TPQMA Agency                               | States/UT for which the TPQMA is appointed                                                                |
|--------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| M/s Wapcos Ltd.                            | Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Puducherry                                                                |
| M/s RITES Ltd.                             | Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Kerala                                                                     |
| National Power Training Institute          | Tamil Nadu, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Manipur                                                              |
| M/s Voyants Solutions Pvt. Ltd             | Jharkhand, Gujarat, Haryana, Punjab, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, Rajasthan, Tripura, Chhattisgarh |
| M/s Mercados Energy Markets India Pvt Ltd. | Maharashtra, West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands                             |
| N Arc Consulting Enggpluss Pvt Ltd         | Bihar, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Sikkim                                                                        |

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