Amid the debate over the roll-out mode for prepaid smart metering in Kerala, the Centre has noted that the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), in which the metering programme is a component, ‘‘mandates the roll-out of smart meters through Public-Private Partnership (PPP) in TOTEX mode.’‘
Union Power Minister R.K. Singh clarified the Centre’s stance on the matter while replying to questions posed by A.A. Rahim (CPI{M}) in the Rajya Sabha on August 8. Funds for prepaid smart metering will be made available to power distribution companies (discom) ‘‘only after installation and commissioning of smart meters in TOTEX mode and as per RDSS guidelines”, Mr. Singh said in reply to an unstarred question.
Mr. Singh said implementing smart metering in TOTEX (total expenditure) mode made it self-financing and discoms would not have to pay upfront for the capital expenditure. He further noted that, under RDSS, funding for works other than prepaid smart metering would be contingent upon discoms implementing smart metering in TOTEX mode.
