Lucknow, March 23 -- A fresh A+ rating for Noida Power Company Limited (NPCL) has once again highlighted the stark performance divide among Uttar Pradesh's power distribution companies, though the comparison comes with a caveat - the private utility operates in a far smaller, urban-centric area. NPCL, which caters to consumers in Greater Noida, has secured A+ ratings in both Integrated Performance and Consumer Service for FY 2024-25, with a score exceeding 96, placing it among the top utilities in the country. Unlike state-owned discoms, it operates in a limited, predominantly urban geography with a high-paying consumer base and relatively lower distribution complexities. The achievement comes against the backdrop of the 14th Integrated Rating and Ranking of Power Distribution Utilities released earlier this year by the ministry of power, which presents a mixed picture for the state's larger, government-run utilities handling vast and diverse regions. Among them, Paschimanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (PVVNL) emerged as a standout performer, securing an A+ rating with a score of 86.57, a sharp improvement from its earlier grade B. However, Dakshinanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (DVVNL), Madhyanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (MVVNL) and Kanpur Electricity Supply Company (KESCO) were rated B-, indicating moderate performance, while Purvanchal Vidyut Vitran Nigam Ltd (PuVVNL) continued to lag with a C grade. The report flags persistent issues such as high aggregate technical and commercial losses, weak financials and delayed payments across most state discoms, despite improvements in subsidy realisation. "The contrast between a compact, urban-focused NPCL and large state utilities serving mixed rural-urban loads underlines both structural challenges and the need for targeted reforms to bridge the performance gap." an energy department official said....