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Minister Shripad Yesso Nayak explained electricity distribution is managed by states and local companies, supported by the center, with losses arising from technical issues and commercial inefficiencies
Davanagere
During the Question Hour in Parliament on Thursday, Davanagere MP Dr. Prabha Mallikarjun raised concerns about the losses in India’s electricity system. She asked the Union Power Ministry for details on how much electricity is lost technically and commercially and what steps are being taken to reduce it.
Minister of State for Power, Shripad Yesso Nayak, explained that electricity distribution is mainly managed by state governments and local electricity companies. The central government supports them with financial aid and technical help. He said electricity losses include two types: technical losses from power lines and equipment, and commercial losses caused by electricity theft, wrong billing, or inefficient collection.
The Minister shared that the government has spent ₹58,686 crore under the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) to improve urban electricity networks. Another ₹1.53 lakh crore has been approved under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), and ₹1.31 lakh crore for installing smart meters to monitor usage. These steps have helped reduce India’s average electricity losses from 22.62% in 2014-15 to 15.04% in 2024-25.
In Karnataka, projects worth ₹2,352 crore under IPDS have been completed, and 18,438 feeder energy meters installed. The state’s losses now stand at 11.92%, lower than the national average. The Minister said these efforts aim to save electricity and make distribution more efficient, benefiting both the government and consumers.