The Department Related Standing Committee today reviewed the working Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (JKPDD) and Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) here today.While chairing the meeting, MLC, Ramesh Arora stressed on concerned authorities to expedite the process of regularization of 400 daily wagers and casual laborers engaged in JKPDC, Kargil on the analogy of other PDD employees.Arora asked the officers to speed up the process of installation of electric meters and stressed for proper maintainenace of the meters to improve power scenario in the state.Legislators, Ajatshatru Singh, Showkat Hussain Ganai, Mohammad Khurshid Alam and Firdous Ahmed Tak attended the meeting and gave their suggestions regarding strengthening & upgradation of power infrastructure in the state.The Committee hailed the government decision to bring all linemen and daily wagers under the ambit of construction workers and insurance cover for all.
The Committee directed JKPDC to formulate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) guidelines, besides seeking detail of funds available with government under Local Area Development (LAD) for projects being run by JKPDC, NHPC in the state.The Committee directed the concerned authorities to speed up process of all ongoing Mini Hydro Power Projects in the state to make the state self reliant in power sector.Commissioner Secretary, Power Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta briefed the Committee about the working besides physical and financial status of the department.The Committee was informed that there are about 16 lakh registered connections in the state and 51percent metering so far. It was further informed that Rs 710 crore liability pending with different government departments and only 60 percent metering in government department.Managing Director, Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation, Shah Faisal, senior officers of JKPDC and JKPDD and Council Secretariat were also present in the meeting.