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The Ministry of Power has initiated a capacity building measure for structured distribution reforms in collaboration with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Under this programme, 25,000 utility managers, engineers and technicians from all over India are being trained in the first phase. The Distribution Reforms Upgrades and Management Project (DRUM), a part of USAID’s Distribution programme is aimed at building the capacity of utilities to reduce distribution losses, enhance the quality and reliability of power supply and improve financial and commercial performance. The overall goal is to put in place commercially viable electricity distribution systems that provide reliable power to consumers and to establish a commercial framework.
Launching the programme, the Union Power Minister, Shri P.M. Sayeed said that the critical distribution sector is being given the long due recognition and targeted for improvement in delivery. He said “the real test lies in sustainability in performance”.
CORE International, a US based international management consulting firm will spearhead the DRUM training programme by forging effective partnership with a number of dedicated Indian institutions. A number of training institutes including National Power Training Institute (NPTI), Administrative Staff College of India (ASCI), Tata Energy Research Institute (TERI), Reliance Management Institute (RMI), IIT, Kanpur and Central Power Research Institute (CPRI) will participate in the training programme which is also aimed at training of trainers.
Training will focus on 3 broad functional areas viz. technical, managerial and business and supportive functions. A financial assistance of 20 million US$ is expected as funding for the programme.
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