Avinash Azad
JAMMU, Mar 4: Amidst the remedial implications from experts to reduce Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses in the State, the Power Development Department failed to achieve its goal to reduce proposed 20 percent loss in the fiscal year 2012-13.
Highly placed sources told to Early Time Plus that the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) had suggested PDD to reduce about 20 percent T&D losses during the year 2012-13 that is 56 to 46 percent. Paradoxically, the PDD has brought it 56 to 52 percent (approximately 8 percent reduction in losses). "One percent reduction in the T&D losses mean saving of Rs 30 crore, T&D losses are claiming more than consumption of power in State.
Sources disclosed that the losses were reported due to non installation of meters, about 33 percent connections are yet to be metered. "So far the department has metered only 6, 67,757 connections out of 13, 88,245 registered connections across the State. 7, 55,020 connections in Kashmir valley and 3, 23,579 metered connections in Jammu region," they said and added that about 20,580.62 lakhs units have lost during the year, which has cost State Government over Rs 486 crore," they added.
"Overloaded receiving stations, the quality and quantity of power was inadequate which led to power shutdowns. While the Government blames the people for drastic power curtailment, saying that power pilferage is the major reason for crisis, however, the T&D losses in the State are emerging as major concern.
In its suggestion, the SERC had asked PDD to adopt various measures to reduce losses including 100 percent metering of power consumers, metering of all distribution transformers in the capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar, re-activate supervision to check the menace of bypassing and tampering of meters, involve Electricity Magistrates already in place in the Department, computerize bills, reduce human interface and replace bare conductors with insulated wires in theft prone areas. |
