In Short : A workshop on the Integrated Digital Platform for Electricity Distribution Schemes was conducted. This initiative likely focuses on leveraging digital technologies to enhance efficiency, monitoring, and management of electricity distribution programs, showcasing efforts to modernize and streamline the energy sector.
In Detail : The Integrated Platform will ensure greater visibility, transparency, and accountability in the power distribution sector, it is set to be a game-changer in scheme implementation: ED, REC
REC Limited, a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, hosted a workshop for all state DISCOMs, Program Management Agencies (PMAs), REC-Third Party Quality Monitoring Agencies (TPQMAs) and other stakeholders including sister power sector PSU Power Finance Corporation, on the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) module of the Integrated Web Portal for Power Sector Distribution Schemes.
This innovative platform has been launched to provide real-time updates and insights into the implementation of power sector distribution schemes including RDSS, thus enabling transparency and efficiency. The platform (https://rdss.powermin.gov.in/) was launched by the Union Power and New & Renewable Energy Minister Shri R. K. Singh, at the Review Planning & Monitoring (RPM) meeting with States and State Power Utilities, held in New Delhi during April 10 – 11, 2023.
The workshop held by REC at its corporate office in Gurugram today, February 22, 2024, focused on the importance of the Integrated Web platform, and sought to familiarize all power sector stakeholders on how to best use the platform, to regularly update, monitor and thus speed up the progress under the scheme. More than 200 officials attended the workshop in person, besides another 300 senior officials from DISCOMs, PMAs, PFC, and other stakeholders joining through video conferencing.
Addressing the workshop participants, Executive Director (Project Management Division), REC Shri Rahul Dwivedi emphasized the significance of the integrated web platform and urged DISCOMs to adopt its usage. “Currently, there is no digital platform to synergize data from various schemes and reporting modules, and this is an issue that this platform seeks to address. This platform has the ability to track progress at every stage of the process and it will thus ensure greater visibility, transparency, and accountability in the power distribution sector. It is set to be a game-changer for the sector, by helping us ensure that schemes are implemented efficiently and effectively across the country.”
The integrated web platform has been developed under RDSS to monitor major schemes and reports for Indian power distribution sector, with the objective of operationalizing the RDSS scheme in a digital way. The modules covered under this platform are RDSS, Consumer Service Rating of DISCOMs (CSRD), Energy Accounting, Additional GSDP Borrowing, Integrated Rating of DISCOMs, Key Regulatory Parameters, Annual Performance of State Utilities and Integration with PRAAPTI Portal.
The attendees had the opportunity to familiarize themselves with the platform and gain insights. This was followed by an open discussion where queries from various stakeholders and attendees were addressed. The workshop concluded with an optimistic outlook for the future of the power distribution sector, with participants eager to leverage the benefits of the Integrated Digital Platform to drive progress and innovation.
The integrated digital platform has been designed and developed by the Ministry of Power, REC and Power Finance Corporation.
About REC
REC is a ‘Maharatna’ Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, and is registered with RBI as Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC), and Infrastructure Financing Company (IFC). REC finances the entire Power-Infrastructure sector comprising Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Renewable Energy and new technologies like Electric Vehicles, Battery Storage, Pumped Storage Projects, Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia projects. Recently, REC has also diversified into the Non-Power Infrastructure sector comprising Roads & Expressways, Metro Rail, Airports, IT Communication, Social and Commercial Infrastructure (Educational Institution, Hospitals), Ports and Electro-Mechanical (E&M) works in respect of various other sectors like Steel and Refinery.
REC Ltd. provides loans of various maturities to State, Central and Private Companies for creation of infrastructure assets in the country. REC Ltd. continues to play a key strategic role in the flagship schemes of the Government for the power sector and has been a nodal agency for Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGAYA), Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), National Electricity Fund (NEF) Scheme which resulted in strengthening of last-mile distribution system, 100% village electrification and household electrification in the country. REC has also been made the nodal agency for certain States and Union Territories for the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The loan book of REC stands at Rs 4.97 Lakh Crores and Net Worth at Rs. 64,787 crores as on 31st December, 2023.
