BL reported that Patni Computer Systems and Spanco are among the four technology companies that have been empanelled as system integrators by the Indian government for its ambitious INR 50,000 crore plan to cut power distribution losses in the country.

With this the four companies can now bid for State level projects as part of the centre funded Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reform Program. These companies join Accenture, Capgemini, CMC and others that were earlier empanelled as IT consultants for the R-APDRP project.

According to Mr Deepak Khosla Patni's president for the SAARC region, out of INR 50,000 crore, INR 10,000 crore is expected to be spent on IT and technology.

He added that the scope of the IT jobs under R-APDRP include setting up data centres, disaster recovery back-ups and GIS mapping, besides developing applications for reading meters, billing and collection, energy accounting and auditing and consumer grievance redressal.

Apart from Patni and Spanco, the other companies that have been empanelled in the systems integration category are the New Delhi-based United Telecom and the Chennai-based Omne Agate Systems.

(Sourced from Business Line)