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| Thanks to previous regime's inefficacy, power reforms given least priority | | Finally, Govt winds up R-APDRP scheme in JK | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 9: The centrally sponsored scheme launched about nine years ago to ensure better electricity supplies in twin capitals of erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir has finally died a pathetic death with contact ended amid absolute chaos and confusion.
Launched in the year 2011, Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) had a focus to reduce aggregate technical and commercial losses in power distribution and management across state utilities. A Private firm was selected to establish reliable and automated systems for sustained collection of accurate baseline data for Jammu and Kashmir Power Development, as well as enhance adoption of information technology in the areas of energy accounting.
As the transmission and distribution losses mount in the state of Jammu and Kashmir with the consumers bearing the brunt of load shedding, the scheme was launched amid much fanfare with the aim to reduce the T&D losses.
For the first phase of the project, the Central government had sanctioned Rs.151.99 crores under R-APDRP while an amount of Rs.1665.27 crores had been approved for the second phase of this vital project. These schemes were proposed to be taken up under National Electricity Fund for which Rural Electrification Corporation is the nodal agency. Under this scheme 30 towns have been identified as project areas in J&K state with population of above 10,000 as per 2001 census. For this purpose, the government had already taken a pilot exercise and some 30 towns have been identified as project areas in J&K, another 283 towns with population of over 4000 have also been identified that will be covered in the second phase. Phase -1 of 283 towns is to cost Rs. 171.61 crores and phase-2 will cost Rs. 1073.33 crores. These projects were proposed to be taken up under Phase-II of R-APDRP through a special dispensation which could not materialize.
The deadline for the completion of the project was set as March 31, 2018. In March 2020, two years will pass since the end of the deadline and there is no way that the scheme in question would ever find day's light.
As per the government sources, the contract for the Restructured Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (R-APDRP) has been terminated by the government and has sought new bids. What is more ironic, said sources, is the fact that no company is ready to take part in the bidding process and it is being feared that the scheme is at the brink of collapse and will not be taken forward in any way.
Reports also inform that the government's assurance of ensuring better power supplies has to wait for now till the authorities come up with any new proposal to curtail Transmission and Disruption (T&D) losses.
Interestingly, the huge T&D losses since early 90s has affected power sector heavily and the Jammu and Kashmir as it is the only state in India, where about 70 percent energy is lost due to power pilferage and transmission and distribution losses. |
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