Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Singh today said the government has adopted a multi-pronged strategy to ensure more generation of power besides reducing the transmission and distribution losses. He said this would ensure uninterrupted power supply to the consumers.The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing officers while reviewing the progress of Hydropower Projects being executed by the Jammu Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) in different parts of the state, in a high level meeting at Baglihar Chanderkote here today.MLA Ramban Neelam Kumar Langeh, Commissioner Secretary Power Development department Dheeraj Kumar Gupta, Deputy Commissioner Ramban Tariq Hussain Ganai, MD JKPDC Shah Faesal, SSP Ramban Mohan Lal, Chief Engineer Baglihar Arun Kumar Vaid, and Chief Engineer Sawlakote R.S Bhadwal were present in the meeting.The Deputy Chief Minister stressed on fast tracking the upcoming power projects and called for harnessing the vast hydro power potential of the State. He revealed that government is working for providing 24 hours power to state in this regard various initiatives have been taken by the department. “The un-electrified villages of state would be electrified under Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUJY) and other schemes like RAPDRP, IPDS have also been introduced for augmenting the electric infra”.
While referring to the various initiatives being taken for harnessing the enormous hydro electric potential of the state and especially the Ramban and Chenab, the Deputy Chief Minister said that two mega hydro power project Sawalakote and Kirthai tendering process has been started and work of other projects including micro hydel power projects to be started soon. He said that work on other hydro electric power projects would be started soon so that the state becomes self sufficient in power generation.Dr. Singh directed authorities of PDD to involve MLAs, authorities of district administration and other dignitaries for stopping of electricity theft.He directed Xen PDD to formulate a schedule feeder wise for keeping an effective check over theft of electricity in every feeder area in which officers and other local dignitaries should be involved. He further said that electricity theft is a challenge for department and social vigilance is must for stopping theft and electricity loses.The Deputy Chief Minister also reviewed power generation in Baglihar project and its transmission status. He directed the officers to work in synergy so that the quantum of power generation can be increased and consequently more energy generated.
MD JKSPDC gave a detailed progress report project wise through power point presentation and raised different confronting issues for the discussion related to the projects being executed by the corporation at different stages.MLA Ramban raised issue regarding construction of Brahm Dhar Malwa micro hydel power project in Dessa area. Minister directed the concerned authorities to explore the possibility and formulate the proposal for said project.Earlier several deputations met Deputy Chief Minister and apprised him about their demands and problems. A deputation of locals highlighted their demands including employment opportunities for local youth in projects.Compensation for residents of submerging area of Sawalakote project. Provide 100 units of free electricity to every household nearby Baglihar was also raised.A deputation of JKPDC daily wagers was also met and raised their regularization issue and Deputy Chief Minister assured them and informed said issue already has been taken up for its redressel.He directed DC Ramban to formulate a plan under local Area Development Fund (LADF) for development creation of important infrastructure.