Lok Sabha Question No. 135 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-02-02
Subject: Power Transformers in Bihar
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Chandeshwar Prasad

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.135

## ANSWERED ON 02.02.2023

## POWER TRANSFORMERS IN BIHAR

## 135.   SHRI CHANDESHWAR PRASAD:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether most of the power transformers remain impaired/non-functional due to the large  number  of  customers  availing  power  supply  from  these  low  Watt  capacity transformers in rural areas of the country especially in Bihar;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the  reasons  therefor,  State/UT-wise;  and
- (c) the steps taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## 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). 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  is  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. Under various schemes of Government of India, a total of 6,95,035 no. of Distribution Transformers (DTs) have been installed upto 31.3.2022, including 87,401 no of DTs in Bihar.

........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, including Bihar, 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. The Scheme has an outlay of Rs.3,03,758 crore and an  estimated Gross Budgetary support  of Rs 97,631 Crores from Govt.  of  India.  The  duration  of  the  scheme  is  5  Years  (2021-22  to  2025-26).  Under  the scheme, eligible DISCOMs (all State-owned Distribution companies and State / UT Power Departments  excluding  private  Sector  power  companies)  are  being  provided  financial support  for  upgradation  of  the  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.

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