under preparation

Dear colleagues,

It has been more than one year since I took over as ITMA President. It has been indeed an honour for me to serve the transformer industry. We were able to accomplish on many fronts which would not have been possible without your explicit support. During my introductory remark when I took over the reins of ITMA from my predecessor in the midstream, I appreciated the commendable work rather concerted efforts put in by Mr U.C. Misra Ex-Member, Power Grid and the way he handled the intricate problems with concerned authorities was really appreciable and I must say we were lucky to have him as our President. I have tried my level best to pick up the threads left by him in order to carry further with best of efforts in reaching the desired goal.

I am committed to further strengthening this task by actively associating with our members, seeking their valuable feedback, and working towards the continuous growth of our transformer industry and business aspects. Additionally, I aim to shape policies that emphasize the importance of “Green Solutions”, not only benefiting us but also contributing to the progress and wellbeing of our Nation as a whole.

The future of the electrical equipment particularly Distribution Transformers lies in capitalizing on new requirements and leveraging our capabilities and capacities entailing to explore new markets in order to enhance our export within the industry and address long-standing issues by establishing a mechanism across our numerous accessories of Distribution Transformers.

The prerequisite of a satisfactory distribution system is well planned, designed and constructed with quality equipment & material in order to realize full value during its lifespan. Any deficiency or any inadequacy in the system will not provide reliable services regardless of how good or how much maintenance or preventive maintenance is carried out on the equipment. The deterioration of the electrical plant is normal and ignoring it can cause malfunctioning resulting in failure of supply. It is therefore necessary that maintenance & preventive maintenance procedures should be developed and observed periodically meticulously. The transformer industry is always prepared to deliver the right quality product at the right price level. However over a period of time unhealthy practices and competition in the industry due to lowest cost procurement basis have eroded the confidence of consumers and its serving utilities on the transformer manufacturers. Due to these factors the Quality Control Order for DTs issued by the ministry of heavy industries came into force since in 2015. The country today has very good standards and regulations in place to ensure good quality, higher reliability and better efficiency for Distribution Transformers. However field conditions such as unauthorized use, poor O&M practices and low skill manufacturing often remain a challenge. Despite having one of the best standards and regulations in our country, implementation like many other areas poses a serious challenge thus adversely affecting the financial health of the power distribution sector but impacts not only the health of the distribution companies and also the tariff paid by its customers.

There is an important aspect of dual certification of DTS by BEE & BIS is too much regulation for the same purpose which puts the manufacturers under unnecessary pressure and hence needs consideration so that the manufacturers can do their business with ease and manufacture quality transformers.

Besides, there is a need to improve upon the energy efficient standards for DTs as it will save the total cost to users and reduce energy consumption. Moreover ITMA and ICA India are working towards a common national goal of providing uninterrupted reliable and quality power supply to the consumers by conducting such seminars, together in a bid to help the industry to gain an understanding and adopt new technology developments thereby increasing skill and knowhow. Simultaneously, we hope that such platforms would help in the exchange of ideas between users like Utilities, OEMs, Testing Agencies, Standard formulating bodies so that issues can be resolved cordially towards the betterment of the Distribution Technology.

The following vexing issues of Transformer Industry need attention:-

1. Defraying of Huge outstanding payments from Utilities/Discoms In order that delayed legitimate payments to our members by discoms due to delays for which members are suffering for the cash flow problems to run the industry

2. Security Deposit & the Performance Bank Guarantee being asked by the Utilities /Discoms.

3. One Nation one specification -Adoption of uniform specifications across the Nation for transformers.

The Distribution Transformers (DT) has an Indian Standard IS: 1180/2024 which has been issued by BIS after detailed discussions in its Technical Committee ETD 16 for uniformly adoption at National Level. The Indian Standard IS: 1180 on DTs has also been placed under Mandatory Certification of BIS by DHI. As such there is a uniform specification for Distribution Transformers across the country.

4. Up to date ITMA website-It could not be updated, due to COVID 19 and other issues

5. International Conference-cum- Exhibition to be organized.

6. Revised ITMA Directory -2017 and ensure to be released in the month of January 2025

7. Continue publishing Bi-monthly journal and News letters of ITMA and circulated to all

power Industry

. In the end I would like to thank all ITMA members, council members, office bearers especially my predecessor – Mr U C Misra, Zonal Vice Presidents, Secretariat staff for reposing their faith in me for leading the organization.

I request the Members to forward their critical inputs and valuable suggestions, so as to further improve the ITMA activities.

ANIL KUMAR AGGARWAL