A meeting of Department Related Standing Committee (DRSC-IV) of Legislative Council was held under the chairmanship of MLC Ramesh Arora here today to review the overall functioning of Power Development Department (PDD).Legislators, Ali Mohammad Dar, Saif-ud-Din Bhat, and Vibod Gupta attended the meeting.During the meeting, threadbare discussions were held on the current status of projects of solar energy, alternative energy in the state, regularization of daily wagers particularly working in State Power Development Corporation (PDC), and district wise details regarding the demands of electric transformers.The Committee also discussed the power scenario in the state especially during peak summer season in Jammu division and in winters in Kashmir division and steps taken to improve it and district wise details of electrified and un-electrified households in the state.The Committee observed that the daily wagers were not regularized by the PDC and compliance report in this regard was not also filed as per the direction given by Chairman Ramesh Arora.
On the occasion, Arora directed the Executive Director (E) PDD, Ajay Gupta to file a compliance report in this regard.Meanwhile, Vibod Gupta informed the Committee that Gulabgarh village in Tehsil Kalakote is yet to be electrified and the reply of the Department isn’t correct regarding the same.The Chairman directed for constituting a sub-committee comprising MLCs Ali Mohammad Dar and Vibod Gupta which will visit Rajouri and prepare a report about the working of IRCON and other contractors in the area and submit a detailed report to the Committee as early as possible regarding the list of un-electrified villages which are shown to be electrified in record of the department.The Committee also directed the Chief Engineer, M&RE Wing Jammu, Ashwani Gupta to submit a report of criteria for installation of new transformers to the needy areas. It was also directed to file a detailed report of last one year indicating how many transformers were installed in Jammu region and what criteria was adopted.During the meeting, Arora expressed hope that PDD will work with added zeal and zest so that the maximum relief could be provided to the people.Development Commissioner Power Asgar Ali Majaz, Special Secretary Council Secretariat Mohammad Ashraf Wani, Additional Secretary Legislative Council Ali Mohammad Rawat and other senior officers of PDD and Council Secretariat were present in the meeting.