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Use IT to check power theft, says task force

The information technology task force on the power sector, headed by Infosys CEO Nandan Nilekani, on Tuesday submitted its report to Power Minister Anant Geete, suggesting extensive use of IT for checking power theft, estimated to cause an annual loss of Rs 26,000 crore (Rs 260 billion) to the exchequer.

As a short-term measure, IT should be introduced for integrated billing and energy accounting, the report said.

It can also be used for remote metering of electricity consumers to prevent tampering of meters, besides automation of distribution and provision of e-solutions.

The task force, set up by the power ministry in May, has suggested introduction of IT in phases, covering first the cities to be followed by towns and rural areas.

Geete said the private sector would be encouraged to take up IT projects in the power sector in order to improve the health of the state electricity boards and make the power sector viable.

Minister of State for Power Jayawanti Mehta said information technology would be used to overcome distribution deficiencies. The ministry would review the use of IT in the sector every six months.

Power Secretary R V Shahi said SEBs should incorporate IT in all projects under the Accelerated Power Development and Reform Programme, which would cover 500 towns and cities in the next three years.

While power generation and distribution in the country was comparable to the best of technologies used elsewhere in the world, the distribution sector was virtually in a shambles, he said.

UNI

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