Srinagar, November 20, 2023 — H. Rajesh Prasad, the Principal Secretary of the Power Development Department (PDD), convened a crucial meeting today to scrutinize the power situation in Jammu and Kashmir, with a special focus on the Kashmir Valley amid dropping temperatures.
In the meeting, attended by Managing Directors of Corporations, Chief Engineers, and senior officials of the department, it was revealed that a curtailment schedule had been devised based on the available power resources in the region.
Prasad emphasized the imperative of adhering strictly to the schedule, asserting a zero-tolerance policy towards unscheduled power cuts. He stressed the significance of refraining from excessive power draw, emphasizing the necessity to maintain grid discipline and avoid unnecessary disruptions in power supply.
The review highlighted the considerable improvement in the region’s power infrastructure in recent years, aided by loans obtained under various Government of India schemes, clearing all outstanding dues of power generators. However, it was emphasized that minimizing losses remains a commitment under these schemes to ensure the sector’s viability.
To combat losses, Prasad directed engineers to intensify efforts to eliminate power theft through stringent enforcement measures. He urged for consistent power supply in areas where consumers regularly pay their bills, while prioritizing measures like metering and AB cabling in high-loss areas.
Expressing concern over inadequate revenue realization despite increased energy dispatch to the valley compared to the previous year, Prasad instructed officers to ensure timely billing and distribution to consumers. Additionally, he emphasized swift resolution of power outages and minimal downtime in repairing damaged Distribution Transformers (DT) to mitigate inconvenience to the public.
Concluding the meeting, the Principal Secretary reiterated the government’s steadfast commitment to bolstering the power sector in Jammu and Kashmir. The implementation of these directives aims to enhance power supply reliability and bolster the sector’s financial stability, ensuring a resilient and efficient energy infrastructure for the region’s residents.
