Lok Sabha Question No. 1102 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2026-02-05
Subject: Installation of Smart Pre-paid Meters in Jamui
Ministry: POWER
Asked by: Shri Arun Bharti

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF POWER

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1102 ANSWERED ON 05.02.2026

## INSTALLATION OF SMART PRE-PAID METERS IN JAMUI

1102. SHRI ARUN BHARTI:

Will the Minister of POWER be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has approved/sanctioned the installation of Smart Prepaid Meters in Jamui Parliamentary Constituency under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) during Financial Year 2025-26, if so, the details of status and timeline, block-wise;
- (b) the physical and financial progress of the separation of agriculture feeders in Jamui as on January 1, 2026;
- (c) whether funds have been released and utilised for the strengthening of substations  (33/11  KV)  in  Jamui  during  Financial  Year  2025-26  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d) whether shortfall has been identified in the reduction of AT&C losses in the Jamui circle, if so, the details thereof along with the remedial measures proposed in this regard; and
- (e) whether  new  approvals  are  proposed  for  underground  cabling  in  Jamui heritage/market areas during Financial Year 2026-27 and if so, the details thereof?

## A N S W E R

## THE MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF POWER

(SHRI SHRIPAD NAIK)

- (a) : Based on the proposal submitted by the State, Smart prepaid metering works for 54,456 consumers were sanctioned under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS)  for  Jamui  Parliamentary  Constituency  during  Financial  Year  2022-23.  The details are as under:

| Block     | Sanctioned Smart Prepaid Meters (Nos.)   | Installed till date (Nos.)   |
|-----------|------------------------------------------|------------------------------|
| Jamui     | 21,729                                   | 15,171                       |
| Jhajha    | 7,500                                    | 3,812                        |
| Sheikhpur | 18,227                                   | 9,230                        |
| Barbigha  | 7,000                                    | 4,718                        |
| Total     | 54,456                                   | 32,931                       |

The sanctioned works are to be completed by the end of the scheme period i.e. March, 2028.

(b) : In Jamui Parliamentary Constituency, as per proposal submitted by the State, 50 feeders have been sanctioned for segregation under RDSS with a project cost of Rs 102 crore. Out of the sanctioned works, 49 feeders have been segregated till date with a financial progress of Rs 80 crore.

- (c) : Under  RDSS,  2  new  2x10  MVA  substations  have  been  sanctioned  for  Jamui Parliamentary  Constituency  and  the  works  are  under  implementation.  Under  the scheme, funds are released to distribution utilities upon qualifying annual evaluation and  based  on  the  physical  progress  of  the  sanctioned  works  as  per  the  scheme guidelines.  During Financial Year 2025-26, Rs. 490 crore have been released to the South  Bihar  Power  Distribution  Company  Limited  (SBPDCL),  which  includes  Jamui circle, for loss reduction and smart metering works as per the scheme guidelines.

(d): Government  of  India  has  undertaken  various  reform  measures  to  improve distribution infrastructure and to bring down AT&C losses in the Country, including Jamui Constituency. These include:

- i. The release of funds under RDSS is linked to States/Distribution utilities taking necessary  measures  to  improve  their  performance.  Under  the  scheme, sanctioned  works  include  replacement  of  bare  conductors  with  covered conductors, laying Aerial Bunched (AB) cables, and upgradation/augmentation of Distribution Transformers (DT)/ Sub-stations, etc. Execution of these works would help in reducing AT&C losses and improve the quality of supply of power. Prepaid smart metering is also one of the critical interventions envisaged under RDSS, which would help in improving AT&C losses.
- ii. Additional  Prudential  Norms  for  sanctioning  of  loans  to  State  owned  power utilities  are  contingent  on  the  performance  of  power  distribution  utilities against prescribed conditions.
- iii. Rules  for  implementation  of  Fuel  and  Power  Purchase  Costs  Adjustment (FPPCA) and cost reflective tariff so as to ensure that all prudent cost for supply of electricity are passed through

AT&C Losses are monitored at the distribution utility level and calculated based on  their  audited  annual  financial  accounts.  Further,  under  RDSS,  a  trajectory  for reduction in AT&C losses has also been prescribed which is linked with fund release. The achievement of SBPDCL is as below:

| FY21       | FY22   | FY22   | FY23   | FY23   | FY24   | FY24   | FY25   | FY25   |
|------------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|--------|
| Actual     | Target | Actual | Target | Actual | Target | Actual | Target | Actual |
| (Baseline) |        |        |        |        |        |        |        |        |
| 36.88      | 35     | 39.07  | 31     | 25.05  | 25     | 22.89  | 20     | 16.35  |

Also, with the concerted efforts of State and Central Government and due to the reforms undertaken, the AT&C Losses of the State of Bihar have reduced from 35.33% in FY2021 to 15.51% in FY2025.

- (e) : There is no such proposal under consideration for underground cabling in Jamui heritage/market areas.

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