The government today informed that 100 percent smart metering is being implemented in the Municipal Committee (MC) Hiranagar under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). Replying to a question raised by Legislator Vijay Kumar in the House today, Minister Javed Ahmed Rana informed that the smart meters have been installed for 77 percent of consumers in the Municipal Committee Hiranagar, while installation for the remaining consumers is currently under progress.
He was replying on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. The Minister said that the provision of uninterrupted power supply is contingent upon achieving 100 percent smart metering and reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses below the threshold of 15 percent, as per the Load Curtailment Programme notified by the Department.
“Once 100 percent smart metering is achieved, all the consumers will be billed strictly on the basis of actual energy consumption recorded through smart meters and billing on a flat-rate basis will be completely discontinued,” apprised the Minister.
The Minister said that under prevailing JERC Tariff Orders, only those consumers where smart meters are yet to be installed, are being billed on a flat-rate basis. “This arrangement is purely temporary and shall continue only until smart meters are installed for all such consumers, where-after billing shall be undertaken exclusively on a metered basis in conformity with the regulations in force,” he stated.
The Minister attributed the frequent power cuts to scheduled load curtailment under the Load Curtailment Programme (LCP), linked to Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) loss levels. Feeders with 15 to 40 percent billing efficiency face 3-hour cuts, while those above 40 percent face 6-hour cuts.
He informed that apart from scheduled curtailment, occasional power interruptions also occur due to curtailment imposed by SLDC owing to system constraints for maintaining grid stability, planned shutdowns undertaken for execution of new system strengthening and augmentation works under various schemes and unforeseen technical faults in the distribution network.
The Minister outlined measures to tackle frequent power interruptions, including strengthening HT/LT networks by adding poles and replacing worn-out conductors, implementing smart metering for 100% coverage, and enforcing drives against power theft to reduce AT&C losses, aiming to improve power supply reliability. He added that the expected timeline for completion of installation of Smart Meters is September 2026.
Govt strengthening forest conservation; encroached lands being reclaimed: Javed Rana
Minister for Forests, Ecology & Environment, Javed Ahmad Rana, today informed the Legislative Assembly that the government of Jammu and Kashmir is implementing multiple UT and Centrally Sponsored Schemes aimed at conservation, preservation and sustainable management of forests, wildlife and ecology across J&K.
Replying to a question raised by Legislator Rajiv Jasrotia, the Minister said that key schemes currently operational included the Capex Budget, Green India Mission (GIM), Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme (FFPM), Nagar Van Yojana (NVY), Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI), CAMPA and the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA).
He also gave out the district-wise details of funds released and expenditure incurred during 2022–23, 2023–24 and 2024–25 in his reply. The Minister stated that procurement and execution of works follow General Financial Rules (GFR) and government guidelines.
Materials like barbed wire, poles and plants aren’t purchased separately; instead, works like fencing and plantation are tendered through composite NITs, he added. Forest Minister further said that the entire process follows prescribed tendering procedures with due approval of the competent authority.
The Lowest Bidder (L1) provides materials as per the approved specifications, ensuring transparency and financial discipline, he added. Regarding regulation of Khair trees, the Minister stated that felling is governed by the Jammu and Kashmir Non-Forest Land Khair Trees ‘Acacia catechu’ (Management Plan) Rules, 2016, framed in compliance with recommendations of the Central Empowerment Committee and directions of the Supreme Court.
He further said that under Rule 8(5) of the said Rules (SRO-111 of 2016), farmers are permitted to sell Khair wood outside the UT in accordance with the prescribed provisions. The Minister informed the House that 19,496.73 hectare of forest land in J&K is under encroachment as on 31-12-2025.
He emphasized that the Forest Department has launched sustained measures to retrieve encroached land, including detailed surveys and demarcation of forest boundaries, issuance of notices under Section 79(A) of the Indian Forest Act, 1927, eviction drives, fencing and restoration of retrieved land with indigenous species, enhanced vigilance by Territorial Wings and Forest Protection Force besides use of modern technology such as remote sensing, GPS and drones.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment, the Minister said that sustained efforts are being made to strengthen the forest governance, prevent illegal encroachments and promote ecological sustainability for long-term environmental security in Jammu and Kashmir.