‘Discoms failed to implement rural power scheme properly’

Jaipur: CAG finds several lapses in the implementation of Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)by discoms which led to missing of targets. Declaration of unelectrified villages as electrified, failing to meet feeder segregation targets, non-replacement of defective meters causing loss of Rs 50 crore among several others were flagged by CAG in its report.
The accounting watchdog of the government said Discoms failed on all the three parameters of segregation of feeders, strengthening the distribution infrastructure and achieving 100% electrification under DDUGJY.
Out of the 33 districts for which discoms formulated detailed project reports for which Rs 2819 crore has been sanctioned, the CAG selected nine districts or 27.27% of the project for detailed evaluation of implementation.
It said that discoms did not prepare the need Assessment document for identifying the need for feeder separation and gaps in sub-transmission and distribution network. Additionally, they did not involve the planning wing of their departments. This lead to poor performance in setting up the farm and non-farm feeder segregation. CAG said discoms could achieve feeder segregation target of only 7.73%. Feeder segregation is key for providing quality power, checking theft and improving efficiency.
Similarly, discoms were required to identify critical gaps in sub-transmission and distribution network considering all relevant parameters for efficient management. But they did not conduct any study. This led to change of location for setting up sub-stations at 91 places (44% of planned sub-stations) causing delay and extra expenses.
IT said that the discoms did not replace 3626 defective metres despite sanction of Rs 97 crore under DDUGJY. Jodhpur discom did not make any provision for replacement of 2.08 lakh defective metres. They had to give replace of Rs 50 crore for non-replacement of defective meters to the consumers as per the provision.
Discoms also incorrectly declared unelectrified villages as electrified. Even after implementation of DDUGJY, they could not achieve 100% electrification, the CAG said.