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| Kashmir Economic Alliance asks people not to pay electricity dues against extended power cuts | | People on warpath against extended curtailment | | Jehangir Rashid
SRINAGAR, Nov 20: There are chances that revenue accrued by Power Development Department (PDD) from consumers may come down drastically during this winter as a premier organization of traders has asked people not to pay electricity dues as a mark of protest against the curtailment schedule announced recently.
Kashmir Economic Alliance (KEA), an amalgam of traders, transporters, hoteliers, houseboat owners and contractors has asked the people not to pay the electricity dues as long as PDD sticks with the curtailment schedule announced few days back. KEA has taken serious note of the statement of PDD Chief Engineer, wherein he has stated that curtailment schedule will be implemented in letter and spirit.
"Few years back PDD had gone on record, saying that areas which have meters installed will get un-interrupted power supply. This commitment was fulfilled for the first year of the installation and then rolled back. Kashmir with all its tragedies and depression did not need the dictatorial announcement of said Chief Engineer," said KEA chairman, Mohammad Yasin Khan.
Khan said that PDD engineers in the Valley are up against its own people whom they are punishing and find refuge for the incompetence, corruption and mismanagement which is widespread and rampant in PDD. He said Chief Engineer's announcement that curtailment won't be reduced till AT&C losses are curtailed is a cruel joke and only proves incompetence and in- efficiency of the department.
"Officers who are appointed and draw salary out of tax payer's money are asking the poor masses to monitor power generation and distribution and ensure no leakages take place. KEA may not hesitate in calling consumers to stop paying electricity bills if the PDD continues with its arrogant and anti people statements and schedules," said KEA chairman.
Khan said that people of Valley are paying through high tariff and power curtailment for the luxury of chosen few. He added that PDD itself has not been able to take any action against the thefts that are going at the behest of VIPs. He said the PDD diktat of asking people to act against the culprits in a tacit manner shows bankruptcy of ideas and lack of will to act.
"This also shows total lack of sensitivity towards the suffering people. PDD and its officers may be looking for extension in services and post retirement jobs like many of their predecessors. At the same time the state government for sure will reward them for causing trauma to the people of the Valley," said KEA chairman.
Khan asked the people to be ready for extended evenings and nights. He said students should keep it in mind that they would have to prepare for the examination while reading with the help of candles and torches, however, difficult it may be to study under them. He said people belonging to different sections of society have already voiced their concern over the curtailment schedule adding that their anger is justified.
It would be in place to mention here that according to curtailment schedule drawn by PDD people living in metered areas would be subjected to 17 hours cut during a week while as those living in non-metered areas would have face power cuts for 57 hours during a week. The schedule has already come in for criticism with people raising agitation as a mark of protest. |
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