Launch sustained drive against power pilferage: Div Com(K) to DCs

Srinagar: In order to check illegal and excessive use of electricity load by consumers, the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Baseer Ahmad Khan Wednesday directed all Deputy Commissioners (DCs) including Leh and Kargil to constitute Special inspection squads of SDM, Police, Ladies Police, Executive Engineers of PDD and revenue officers which will carry out rigorous inspections especially during evening and night hours in both metered and non-metered areas to check hooking, illegal and excessive loads by consumers.
He also directed that the sale of heaters, boilers and other crude heating devices should be banned across all the markets of Kashmir Division. Strict action should be taken against the violators as per law and officials have been asked to send daily based report to the Divisional Commissioners office.
The Divisional Commissioner made these directions while reviewing the electricity scenario across the Kashmir Division.
The meeting was informed that PDD (EM&RE) wing caters around 9.65 lakh consumers of various categories. Out of them 42% are metered consumers and rest are unmetered. Present unrestricted peak demand of electricity is 2200 MW in which PDD fulfills 1300 MW against a registered load of 750 MW. It was further revealed that unrestricted peak demand forecast in peak winters is 2350 MW. Owing to transmission level constraints, the department cannot supply more than 1300 MW. The department is thereby constrained to enforce the curtailment so as to avoid unscheduled grid cuts and safeguard the key assets of the department. PDD had already issued area wise electricity curtailment schedule in the print media for winter months.
The Divisional Commissioner directed Chief Engineer PDD to adhere the power cut schedule in letter and spirit so that people do not face any kind of problem during winter days. All concerned AEE have been directed to share information with the concerned DCs regarding the unscheduled electricity cuts so that DCs will inform the consumers in advance. Besides, Superintending Engineers will conduct regular inspection in all grid stations across the valley.
For buffer stock, he also directed all DCs to purchase five transformers in their respective districts so that habitants do not face any inconvenience during cold days.
The Divisional Commissioner also reviewed the progress of RAPDRP, IPDS, DDUGJY, PMDP power schemes across the Kashmir division.
It was informed that an amount of Rs 146.12 crores has approved as grant from PSDF for renovation and up-gradation of existing protection system in various grid stations. Under this scheme, 21 Grid Stations are being renovated, besides each grid Station shall be provided with DG sets, Diagnostic tools and Fire Fighting & Fire Protection system.
The Divisional Commissioner stressed to expedite the works on prestigious power schemes on priority basis so that power scenario across the valley will be improved for the convenience of the consumers.
On the occasion, the Divisional Commissioner stressed upon the line officers to work with zeal and synergy with concerned Deputy Commissioners, so that the bottlenecks, if any, in the centrally sponsored power schemes are removed and also speed up the work without any further delay. He further stressed them that all pending issues should be immediately sorted out within the time frame and the centrally sponsored schemes for power sector will completed in a stipulated time.
Div Com directed the officers to expedite the work on the grid stations coming up at Alasteng and Delina, which will go a long way in strengthening the power transmission situation in Kashmir.
Chief Engineers of PDD of Systems and Operations and Generation wing, Principal Private Secretary with Div Com, all Superintending Engineers of the valley, Assistant Commissioner and other concerned officers were present in the meeting.