CPI (M) senior leader and MLA Kulgam has strongly condemned the use of force against the people who were peacefully protesting against the grim power situation in Kulgam today. He said that it seems that the present regime is only relying on brutal force against legitimate protests by the people.Terming the police action as unfortunate and uncalled for, Tarigami deplored the government on use of such “authoritarian” methods against peaceful demonstrations. “Despite tall claims for separate package for power sector in the State, the government is still using lathicharge, tear gas shells as a means to suppress protest.”He said that the Power Development Department (PDD) in Kulgam is making the common citizens victims of its callous approach. The overall power supply system in the state has become too faulty to cater to the genuine energy needs of consumers he added and said that the valley is face to face with a grim electricity scenario, Kulgam district seems to be at the receiving end of this power crisis.
Only mere assurances are given which cannot address the gravity of the dismal power situation in the district.He reminded the government about the District Development Board decision wherein it was agreed to upgrade Grid Station Kulgam from 40 MV to 100 MV in June 2015. However six months have elapsed but nothing has been done so far.The unending power crisis in the entire Valley and particularly in Kulgam district is a direct result of insensitivity of the Power Development Department. The government has failed to create a buffer stock of electricity transformers at District and Divisional level to address the situation surfaced due to damaged transformers. (CNS)