New Delhi | January 21, 2026
Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal on Tuesday said that India’s power sector is poised for significant expansion in the coming years, driven by the country’s fast-growing economy, and stressed that this growth will require financially robust and operationally efficient power distribution companies (DISCOMs).
Addressing the inaugural session of the Power Distribution Industry Conference – ADICON 2026, the minister said that a strong distribution sector is essential for delivering better services and greater responsiveness to consumer needs.
ADICON 2026 is being held on January 21–22, 2026, under the aegis of the Ministry of Power, in collaboration with the All India Discoms Association (AIDA).
Push for Cost-Reflective Tariffs and Targeted Subsidies
The power minister urged State Electricity Regulatory Commissions (SERCs) to move towards cost-reflective tariffs, while ensuring that targeted subsidies for needy consumers are implemented strictly in accordance with the provisions of the Electricity Act.
He underlined that financial sustainability of DISCOMs is critical to maintaining reliable power supply and supporting India’s long-term economic growth.
Release of ‘India Discoms: 2025’ Report
During the event, Manohar Lal also released the first edition of AIDA’s annual report titled “India Discoms: 2025”, which provides a comprehensive overview of the power distribution sector.
The report highlights:
Ongoing efforts by DISCOMs to improve supply reliability and operational efficiency
Key challenges faced by distribution utilities
Policy measures taken by the Ministry of Power and the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) to address these challenges, including the draft Electricity Amendment Bill and initiatives such as the India Energy Stack
The publication also features 13 articles by eminent experts from the power sector and a summary of key developments and activities undertaken during 2025.
