The average rural power supply duration has been increased from 12.5 hours in 2014-15 to 18.5 hours in 2019-20. While addressing the members of the Consultative Committee of the Ministry of Power, the power minister R. K. Singh said that some of the major reform initiatives which the Ministry of Power has recently undertaken include: Universal Access to Electricity; Reliable, Quality and Sustainable Supply; Empowering Consumers and Green and Clean Nation. He mentioned that the 100% village electrification has been achieved 13 days before target while 100% household electrification has been achieved under Saubhagya scheme. He also informed about the steps taken by ministry for empowerment
of consumers.
The Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules were rolled out by Power Ministry in December, 2020, with emphasis that power system exists to serve consumers with mandated service standards and mandatory round the clock call center. The Power Minister stated that the country has been transformed from a Power Deficit to Power Surplus Nation as at present the total installed capacity in the country is 3.77 lakh MW as compared to Peak Demand of 1.89 lakh MW. “We have achieved the target of One Nation-One Grid-One Frequency with the addition of Transmission Lines of 1.42 lakh ckm and Transformation Capacity of 437 MVA in FY 15-20”, he informed. Under the 2021 bill multiple distribution companies will be allowed to operate in the area of supply.
