Panaji : Goa’s smart electricity meter project that is on hold presently has been sanctioned Rs 469 crore, till date, from the Centre under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Moreover, the state has also been sanctioned Rs 39 crore for the hardware and software (IT and OT) for monitoring the smart electricity devices, according to the Ministry of Power.
The ministry disclosed that 297 employees of the Electricity Department have received training for the implementation of the smart meter project in the state.
Under RDSS, financial assistance is being provided to distribution utilities for loss reduction infrastructure works and smart metering installation.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha on Monday, Minister of State for Power and New & Renewable Energy Shripad Naik said electricity being a concurrent subject, the distribution of electricity to consumers, including the operations of the DISCOMs and digitalisation falls within the purview of the respective distribution utility, which functions under the guidance of the respective state government and the State Electricity Regulatory Commission.
The government has supplemented the efforts of the states earlier through various schemes.
The schemes include Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) and the National Smart Grid Mission (NSGM), established in 2015, as also the RDSS scheme launched in July, 2021.
The scheme aims to improve the quality of power supply through a financially sustainable and operationally efficient distribution sector. State-wise, the RDSS funding is highest for Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra and Gujarat.
About 27,000 smart meters have been installed in Goa, until now, before the project was differed due to opposition from the people.
The smart meter project involves a total cost of Rs 890 crore, and is fully funded by the Centre.
