While the policy of power cuts and power tariff rates are the two major issues concerning a common consumer both in Kashmir valley and Jammu division, the Government is keeping it’s attention focused only on power infrastructure without seriously taking actions on public responses on both proposed hike in power tariff plans and as well as the unprecedented power curtailment schedules. Announcement of Rs.6000 Crore for each of the two regions of Kashmir valley and Jammu division by the Union Minister of State for Power during his recent visit to Jammu & Kashmir shows the Central Government’s concern on upgrading power infrastructure for the purpose of making Jammu & Kashmir power surplus in next three years as per the repeated commitments of Lt Governor Manoj Sinha. Words matching actions on power infrastructure upgradation is enough to give sense of satisfaction to power consumers in Jammu & Kashmir but similarly the policies on power curtailment schedules and power tariff plans are equally pressing issues of concerns for power consumers in Jammu & Kashmir. While the timing for power tariff hike is being challenged by the consumers on account of reducing income levels due to unprecedented slowdown in business operations during last three years of pandemic, the launch of post paid smart meter installation process in more areas of Srinagar city is also evoking resistance from the consumers in many several areas of twin capital cities Srinagar and Jammu. While Government can’t compromise commercialisation of power distribution due to unprecedented increase in investments on projects taken up for upgrading power infrastructure, it is also an irrefutable fact that the government has also certain social obligations in providing hassle free power supply to people of low income groups put under below poverty line (BPL) category in Jammu & Kashmir.
While Government can’t compromise commercialisation of power distribution due to unprecedented increase in investments on projects taken up for upgrading power infrastructure, it is also an irrefutable fact that the government has also certain social obligations in providing hassle free power supply to people of low income groups put under below poverty line (BPL) category in Jammu & Kashmir.
While many state governments are reducing the power tariff plans unprecedentedly, the demand for cut in power tariff plans even from the consumers of BPL category of Jammu & Kashmir is not conceded. Interestingly people of BPL category have been consistently demanding concessions in power tariff plans similar to the one availed by them in delivery of ration also but this rising demand remains as good a grievance as it was during the reign of popular governments of erstwhile Jammu & Kashmir state years ago. In fact cuts in power tariff plans as allowed in the delivery of ration to the people of BPL category would most probably ease the process of realization of power tariff and consequently such a measure would also in turn improve the power tariff realisation process. Never forget that power tariff realisation is the main cause for slowdown in the revenue collection process of the power development department. While the Government is committed to arrange uninterrupted power supply for the consumers in both Kashmir valley and Jammu division, the actions of consumers to forcibly uninstalling and physically remove smart metres fitted by the PDD ground staff are intolerable and penalising such erring consumers is the only way to prevent power pilferage .
