Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal reviews Power Sector and Urban Development Schemes with the Jharkhand Government

**Executive Summary** Union Minister Shri Manohar Lal reviewed Jharkhand’s power sector and urban development schemes on June 19, 2026, to address operational inefficiencies and financial challenges. The meeting focused on debt restructuring for DISCOMs, improving infrastructure planning, and accelerating renewable energy schemes. Critical deadlines were established for August 31, 2026, regarding the installation of prepaid and smart meters for government and high-load consumers. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Power Sector Operational and Financial Reforms** * Emphasis on the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) to improve DISCOM performance. * Urgent requirement to reduce high Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses and the gap between Average Cost of Supply and Average Revenue Realized (ACS-ARR). * Direction to restructure the debt liabilities of State DISCOMs to ensure financial sustainability. * **Metering and Billing Targets** * Mandatory conversion of meters in all Government consumers and establishments to prepaid meters by August 31, 2026. * Saturation of smart meter installations for high-load, commercial, and industrial consumers by the same August 31, 2026 deadline. * Requirement to expedite smart meter rollout for all other consumer categories. * **Electrification and Renewable Energy Schemes** * Acceleration of on-grid electrification for tribal households under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (DA-JGUA). * Urgent implementation and target achievement for PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana and PM-KUSUM. * Priority installation of rooftop solar on State Government buildings to reduce the state budget’s financial burden and grid demand. * **Infrastructure Planning** * Development of a detailed action plan for resource adequacy. * Focus on intra-state transmission infrastructure planning to meet future power demands. **Impact Analysis** **State Government of Jharkhand / Government Departments** **Impact** Government departments face pressure to settle outstanding dues and transition to new metering technology. The state budget is expected to benefit from reduced power costs through solar adoption. **Action Required** Establish a robust mechanism for regular settlement of dues; ensure prepaid meter conversion by August 31, 2026; and prioritize rooftop solar installations on all government buildings. **State DISCOMs (Distribution Companies)** **Impact** DISCOMs must undergo significant financial restructuring and operational overhauls to meet national standards. **Action Required** Take concerted steps to bring AT&C losses to sustainable levels, restructure debt liabilities, and meet the expedited targets for smart meter deployment. **Commercial and Industrial Consumers** **Impact** These high-load consumers are prioritized for the transition to smart metering infrastructure. **Action Required** Cooperate with the state's mandate to install smart meters by the August 31, 2026 deadline. **Tribal Households** **Impact** Eligible households will see an increase in the pace of on-grid electrification. **Action Required** No direct action mentioned; the State Government is tasked with expediting the implementation of the DA-JGUA scheme for their benefit.

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