The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today said transforming image of the Power Development Department (PDD) by improving revenue realization and reducing power thefts and pilferage besides other corrective measures is the top priority of the government for which a fool-proof system is being put in place.Speaking at a meeting of officers of Power Development Department at Dak Bunglow Poonch, the Deputy Chief Minister impressed upon the officers to come up with innovative suggestions to improve the functioning of department. He asked them to work in a coordinated manner to achieve the targets and said for revitalizing the department dedicated and performing officers will be rewarded and non-performers punished.
The Minister for Transport, Choudhary Abdul Ghani Kohli was also present in the meeting.MLA Haveli Shah Mohammad Tantray, District Development Commissioner, Nisar Ahmed Wani, Senior Superintendent of Police, J S Johar, Superintending Engineer PDD, S Gurmeet Singh, OSD to Deputy Chief Minister, Shakti Pathak, XEN PDD Poonch, Nisar Choudhary, XEN PDD Rajouri, Umesh Parihar besides AEEs, AEs and JEs of PDD Poonch were among others present in the meeting.The Deputy Chief Minister directed the concerned officers to constitute inspection squads comprising officials from Civil and Police administration besides officers from PDD to conduct extensive inspections to check power theft and transmission & distribution losses.
Dr Singh directed the Executive Engineer PDD Poonch to establish effective liaison with the Senior Superintendent of Police in this regard to ensure effective check on power theft. The Minister also asked the DDC and SSP to ensure necessary support to PDD. He also asked PDD officials to take necessary steps to prevent frequent damages to the transformers and other power infrastructure.Elaborating upon the recently announced Amnesty scheme for electricity consumers which resulted in waiving 100% surcharge on outstanding electricity bills from 1st of August provided the domestic consumer make the outstanding payment by or before 31st March 2016 and reduced Electricity duty by 12%, the Deputy Chief Minister directed the XEN and other field functionaries to organize awareness camps in close coordination with the district administration for successful implementation of the scheme. He asked them to aware the general public to adopt ways and means of saving electricity.
Responding to the request of District Development Commissioner regarding restoration of 132KV transmission line and establishing of transformer banks, the Deputy Chief Minister assured expeditious implementation of the decisions taken in the District Development Board meeting regarding establishing transformer banks and realignment of 132KV transmission line.Dr Singh interacted with every AEE, AE and JE in the meeting and sought suggestions for improving the functioning of department. He asked them to own the department, work religiously and put in their best to make PDD an organization representing quality and efficiency in public service. Dr. Singh also assured full support to the officers of the department regarding issues of promotion, regularization etc. and also assured that genuine issues raised by them will also be considered.Earlier, the Deputy Chief Minister and Minister for Transport flagged off the procession carrying the Holy Mace (Chhari Mubarak) from Dashnami Akhara here this morning for marking the final ritual of the annual sojourn at the Holy Shrine at Mandi.
Member Parliament, Jugal Kishore Sharma, MLA Haveli Shah Mohammad Tantray, MLA Nowshehra, Ravinder Raina, MLC Yashpal Sharma, Former Legislator, Choudhary Bashir Ahmed Naz, senior BJP leaders Satish Sasan and Pardeep Sharma, District Development Commissioner, Nisar Ahmed Wani, Senior Superintendent of Police, J S Johar besides members of Yatra management committee, senior officers of civil and police administration, prominent citizens and locals cutting across religions in large numbers were present on the occasion.The Deputy Chief Minister appreciated the people of Poonch for their pluralistic tradition and expressed the hope that they will further help in upholding centuries old tradition of brotherhood and goodwill with the same spirit. Quoting the famous couplet of Dr. Iqbal on the resilience of Indian culture, Dr. Singh explained that this very pluralistic sentiment is the sort of cultural inheritance that has defeated the onslaughts of our enemies for centuries together.
The Deputy Chief Minister also announced Rs 75 lakh for circular road in Poonch town and Rs 15 lakh, for upgrading facilities for the Yatris, to be expended by Poonch Municipal Council. Dr. Singh also assured consideration of the demand of Yatri Niwas at Poonch. He announced Rs 10 lakh for completion of TRC at Mandi.Highlighting the scope of religious tourism in the Pir Panchal region, the Deputy Chief Minister said several holy shrines in the region along with other potential tourist spots will be developed to their real potential.While addressing the devotees, the Minister for Transport, Ch. Abdul Ghani Kohli congratulated the people of Poonch for maintaining tradition of communal amity and brotherhood. He said the participation of people from different faiths in Budha Amarnathji Yatra exemplifies the deep rooted trust among different communities in the district.