Minister for Power Development Department, Sunil Kumar Sharma today called for making concerted efforts to minimize the transmission and distribution losses in the electricity sector and continuous innovations in work execution to improve overall power scenario in the Valley.The Minister said this while chairing a meeting of officers to review the functioning of Power Development Department in the frontier district of Kupwara. The minister stressed for augmentation of power infrastructure, and strengthening the transmission system, which he said is vital to realize the dream of round-the-clock uninterrupted power supply in the State.Sunil Sharma said his purpose of visit to the frontier district is to assess the status of power supply scenario and to take on-spot remedial measures for the convenience of the people. He said that feedback received from legislators should be considered by all concerned officers with sincerity for providing services to the people.Minister directed the officers of PDD to ensure that Exens are held responsible and accountable for implementation of all schemes related to PDD and action taken reports be submitted regularly. He said that with an aim to ensure equitable development, all hamlets or individual households shall be electrified in line with SAUBHAGYA Scheme of GOI.He directed the Chief Engineer PDD to submit DPRs regarding augmentation, up-gradation and creation of new receiving stations after prior approval of concerned MLAs for consideration of the Ministry. He directed the authorities to submit DPRs for establishment of fully equipped workshop in Kupwara and 132 KV Grid Station at Lolab by 5th June.
Sharma further directed the Deputy Commissioner to ensure availability of drivers for pickup vans provided by legislators to various sub-divisions for transportation of transformers and related equipments.The Minister approved Workshop for Karnah to be established at an estimated cost of Rs. 37 lacs and ensured that Dolipora receiving station will be made functional by the end of this month. He suggested proper mapping of Bonar and Machil for assessing the approximate hydroelectricity potential so that work could be initiated accordingly.The Minister further said that it is the vision of the Prime Minister, Narendra Modi to provide electricity to every household and the Government would come to people’s doorstep to provide power connection to every household through Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (SAUBHAGYA) and besides several other schemes are being implemented with an underlying objective to provide people of the state uninterrupted power supply.He said that the officers have to ensure that the projects are completed within the time bound manner to ensure that the initiative of our Prime Minister is made a success.Meanwhile, the Minister said that the department is planning to employ atleast 10,000 personnel as caretakers, with those working on need basis already in the department to be prioritized, for maintenance of Transmission and Distribution networks and all decisions related to the employees have been taken up on priority basis towards rationalizing the staff.Speaking on the occasion, MLA Lolab, Abdul Haq Khan said that the funds available under various schemes both Central and State need to be utilized to realize the objectives of SAUBHAGYA project of Government of India which aims at connecting every household in the country to the grid.He demanded Grid Station for Lolab, completion of 35 KV Khumriyal-Krusan Line, creation of new Receiving Stations at Kalaroos, Kuligam, Thundoosa and upgradation and augmentation of already existing receiving stations to contain load shedding and stabilizing power supply scenario in the area and electrification of un-electrified villages.
He also suggested galvanisation of electric poles to protect them from rusting during long winter spell or exposure to rain and snow. He informed the Minister about possible power generation potential of Bonar Nallah.MLA Kupwara, Bashir Ahmad Dar apprised the Minister about erratic power supply in the main town and requested for providing electric poles including supporting equipment, separate feeder for Halmatpora, segregation of Kralpora-Hirri feeder, inauguration of work on Awoora Receiving station for which land has been acquired, new Receiving Stations at Meenyal, Nagri, Hirri and Trehgam areas, 100 KV forty transformers as buffer stock for ready replacement of irreparable ones.The legislator said that transformers submitted for repair should be returned back within two days as per guidelines laid down. However, this is possible only with proper facilities available. He demanded a fully equipped workshop for Kupwara.MLA Langate, Er. Rasheed urged the Minister to mobilize men and machinery to prevent criminal practice of power theft through various unscrupulous means. He demanded Receiving Stations at Safalpora, Pohrupeth, Sanzipora and Haril, upgradation of Donipora Receiving Station, adequate manpower for maintenance of T&D. He also demanded that DeenDayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana and other schemes should be implemented in letter and spirit.MLA Karnah, Raja Manzoor informed the chair that that six villages viz. Athrut, Check Kalilone, Gasla, Bijaldarah, Jumgund and Pernie were connected to the grid for the first time. The legislator raised demand for poles, special Sub-Division for Tangdhar, workshop for repairing transformers and pickup van and requisite manpower for Karnah.MLC, QaiserJamsheed Lone, DC Kupwara Khalid Jahangir, Secretary Technical, Asgar Majaz, Chief Engineer PDD, SE’s, Exens and prominent citizens attended the meeting.