Gujarat's all 4 Discoms get A+ rating

All four power distribution utilities in Gujarat, and Punjab State Power Corp have been accorded top rating of A+ on the basis of their performance for 2013-14.
A book containing these ratings was released here today by Power Minister Piyush Goyal.
"All the four state distribution utilities in Gujarat and the distribution utility in Punjab figure in the top most category of A+," it said.
Gujarat's four distribution companies are -- Uttar Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (UGVCL), Madhya Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (MGVCL), Dakshin Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (DGVCL) and Paschim Gujarat Vij Company Ltd (PGVCL).
Two utilities namely Maharashtra State Distribution Company Ltd and Uttarakhand Power Corp have been placed in A category. There are 23 utilities in category B+ or B while 10 utilities have been placed in category C+ or C.

The integrated rating methodology for state power distribution utilities was developed by Power Ministry with active involvement of government bodies including Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) and transmission utilities.

Credit rating agencies CRISIL, ICRA and CARE have also assisted the ministry for rating the transmission utilities in the country.
The methodology was given final shape in consultation with Department of Financial Services and major public sector banks.
Power Finance Corporation was mandated to coordinate the rating exercise to be conducted annually. ICRA and CARE were selected to carry out the annual rating exercise for three years. It was unveiled in July 2012.

The exercise covers 40 state power distribution utilities and does not cover private utilities and state power or energy departments.