Avinash Azad
Jammu, June 6: Reeling under scorching heat wave, the plight of Jammuites is multiplied by frequent and prolonged breakdowns in the power supply in the most of the localities of the city for days together and the engineers and line staff of the PDD have failed to do their bit. The residents of Durga Nagar Sector 2, have been worst sufferers of power woes, as two transformers have been damaged in three days. Locals alleged that the transformers are being damaged due to over and undisclosed load, mainly due to power theft facilitated by the linemen of the department themselves for petty gains.
"There is nexus between line men and some un-disclosed consumers of PDD, which is causing huge inconnivance to the residents, as power supply has been disrupted for last four days", said Vikarm Sharma, a local adding that the authorities should pay surprise visit to check nexus of power pilferage in the area.
He said that transformer situated in sector two got damaged on June 3, which was replaced one June 5, but same day, three hours after installation transformer got damaged again. "A 400 KVA transformer is supplying power to more than five hundreds houses.
Being aware about, the load the department instead of installing a heavy transformer is replacing transformer of same capacity which is claiming huge toll on state exchequer everytime it is damaged", said, Diksha, a resident of Durga Nagar, addding that the state government was hiking power tariff every year but, was unable to provide electricity which was adding to the sufferings of Jammuites.
"Government's decision of increasing power tariff is bereft of logic and rationale as the power department is yet to improve power supply position both in the urban and rural areas", she said.
"Every year during summer, residents of Jammu face the same problem, but so far except promises nothing has been done to address their plight.
Since the formation of coalition government, not even a single step has been taken to mitigate the woes of the people", said Kanta Devi a house wife, adding that in the scorching heat when the temperature was hovering well over 44 degrees Celsius, people were facing prolonged power cuts".
Several protest demonstrations across the city have been witnessed over the shortage of power and regular unscheduled power cut in various parts of Jammu city and its adjoining areas due to non-availability of electricity and fake assurance from the state government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
The people question the hollow claims of 24 hours power supply to the metered areas, which are also experiencing heavy unscheduled power curtailments. |
