Power Min will soon announce new date for IPDS launch

The Power Ministry will soon finalise a new date for the launch of its Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) in Varanasi that was scheduled to be unveiled by Prime Minister Narendra Modi today.
The Prime Minister's visit to Varanasi today was cancelled due to heavy rains. He was scheduled to inaugurate a trauma centre at BHU and launch the IPDS.
Power, Coal & New and Renewable Energy Minister Piyush Goyal said the programme has been postponed keeping in view the inconvenience to the public after continuous rainfall.
"The new date for the launch of IPDS will be decided shortly in consultation with the meteorological department," an official statement quoting Goyal said.

He said the IPDS is an initiative of his ministry for urban areas in all states and Union Territories for strengthening of power sub-transmission and distribution network, 100 per cent metering at feeders/distribution transformer/consumers and for IT enablement of distribution sector.
The central government is extending a total budgetary support of Rs 45,800 crore for implementation of this scheme.

Projects worth Rs 3,268 crore, covering 247 towns have so far been sanctioned under IPDS of which projects worth Rs 1,067 crore for 23 circles covering 91 towns have been sanctioned for UP.
This includes Rs 432 crore for Kashi Area (8km x 2 km) and Rs 140 crore for balance Varanasi town.

"In this project the share of the Centre will be 60 per cent and of the states 10 per cent where as loan by PSU's of the ministry 30 per cent.
"If the states comply with certain norms fixed by the Government of India then the Centre shares will rise to 75 per cent. In case of Jammu and Kashmir and North-Eastern states, the Centre share will be 90 per cent and states 5 per cent and loan by PSU's 5 per cent," he said.
He said this while addressing a press conference at Varanasi.