**Executive Summary**
This document is the Indian Ministry of Power's response to a question in Lok Sabha regarding the installation of smart pre-paid meters and related infrastructure improvements in the Jamui Parliamentary Constituency under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). It provides details on the sanctioned works, their progress, financial outlay, and the government's measures to reduce AT&C losses. The sanctioned works are to be completed by March, 2028.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Smart Prepaid Metering:**
* 54,456 smart prepaid meters were sanctioned under RDSS for Jamui during FY 2022-23.
* Block-wise distribution of sanctioned and installed meters is provided:
* Jamui: 21,729 sanctioned, 15,171 installed.
* Jhajha: 7,500 sanctioned, 3,812 installed.
* Sheikhpur: 18,227 sanctioned, 9,230 installed.
* Barbigha: 7,000 sanctioned, 4,718 installed.
* **Agricultural Feeder Segregation:**
* 50 feeders sanctioned for segregation under RDSS, with a project cost of Rs 102 crore.
* 49 feeders have been segregated with Rs 80 crore financial progress.
* **Substation Strengthening:**
* 2 new 2x10 MVA substations sanctioned for Jamui under RDSS; works are under implementation.
* Rs. 490 crore has been released to South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL) for loss reduction and smart metering in Jamui circle in FY 2025-26.
* **AT&C Loss Reduction Measures:**
* The government is taking measures to improve distribution infrastructure and reduce AT&C losses.
* Release of funds under RDSS is linked to performance improvements by States/Distribution utilities.
* Sanctioned works include replacement of bare conductors, laying AB cables, and upgrading Distribution Transformers/Sub-stations.
* Prepaid smart metering is a critical intervention.
* Additional Prudential Norms are in place for loan sanctioning.
* Rules for implementation of Fuel and Power Purchase Costs Adjustment (FPPCA) and cost reflective tariff are in place.
* AT&C losses are monitored at the distribution utility level. A trajectory for AT&C loss reduction is prescribed and linked to fund release.
* AT&C Losses of the State of Bihar have reduced from 35.33% in FY2021 to 15.51% in FY2025.
* **Underground Cabling:**
* No proposal under consideration for underground cabling in Jamui heritage/market areas.
**Impact Analysis**
**SBPDCL**
* **Impact**: Receives funds based on performance, must implement infrastructure improvements and reduce AT&C losses.
* **Action Required**: Execute sanctioned works, meet AT&C loss reduction targets, and adhere to RDSS guidelines to ensure continued funding.
**Consumers in Jamui Parliamentary Constituency**
* **Impact**: Gradual replacement of old meters with smart prepaid meters, improved power supply quality, and potential for reduced losses.
* **Action Required**: Adopt the use of smart prepaid meters.
**State Government of Bihar**
* **Impact**: Must support and facilitate the implementation of RDSS to improve power distribution and reduce AT&C losses across the state.
* **Action Required**: Continue implementing reforms, monitor progress, and ensure utilities meet performance targets.
Key Entities Referenced
Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS): A government scheme under which smart prepaid metering works were sanctioned for Jamui Parliamentary Constituency, aiming to improve distribution infrastructure and reduce AT&C losses.
Jamui Parliamentary Constituency: A specific geographical location where smart prepaid meters are being installed and related distribution infrastructure improvements are taking place.
Ministry of Power: The central government ministry responsible for overseeing and answering questions related to the smart meter installation project.
AT&C losses: Aggregate Technical & Commercial Losses are being monitored in Jamui to reduce these losses.
South Bihar Power Distribution Company Limited (SBPDCL): The distribution company responsible for implementing the smart metering works, to which funds have been released for the Jamui circle under RDSS.
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 Pre-
paid 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 sub-
stations (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 Installed till date (Nos.)
Meters (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 FY23 FY24 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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