Minister for Public Works, Floriculture and Parks, Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari has directed the PDD to ensure judicious and legal use of electricity, besides supply of power as per schedule.In an attempt to reduce load shedding in the state during winter season, the Minister asked the officers of Power Development Department (PDD) to go tough against the illegal use of electricity. He passed these directions during a meeting with officers including Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Dr. Asgar Samoon, Deputy Commissioner Srinagar Dr. Farooq Ahmad Lone, Chief Engineers of PDD, PHE and R&B, Director CAPD, VC LAWDA and Commissioner SMC. The meeting was convened on the directions of the Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed to review the power scenario of the state and to get the suggestions for coping up with the issue of load shedding.
During the meeting officers told the Minister that during winters due to increase in load PDD is constrained to curtail the supply to ensure power to all areas.Expressing concern over frequent power cuts in the State, Bukhari said the over loading and illegal practices are the main cause of the erratic power supply and that they are going to act tough against the defaulters.He asked the PDD officials to devise a strategy to reduce power losses and to check pilferage of electricity.He said the government is working hard to increase the power generation sources and work on various new power projects is being carried out in this regard to improve supply.During the meeting the Minister asked the officers to look into the option of curtailment in power supply during peak hours.Bukhari suggested about 200 MW of electricity can be saved by curtailment in industrial areas during peak hours which can reduce the load on public distribution.