| JK facing 57% transmission, distribution losses in power sector | | | ET Report
Jammu, Feb 18: The Jammu and Kashmir government for past five years has not been able to cut down the transmission and distribution (T&D) losses in power sector, which in 2012-13 financial year remained around 58 percent.
The main reason for T&D losses is the state is both technical and commercial as the existing system in the state is outdated and theft, unaccounted and uncontrolled consumption of power is still going on unabated.As per the economic survey report for 2012-13 financial year, the demand of electricity in the state was 17669.46 million units and 12120.025 million units electricity was available with the power development department. The T&D losses during this financial year stood at 6957.147 million units, which is 57.40 percent of electricity available. Only 5162 million units were available for sale with the department.In 2006-07 financial year, the state had to bear around 51.06 percent T&D loss which showed upward trend upto 2011-2012 financial year, with highest T&D losses occurring in 2009-10 financial year at 63.04 percent.So far only 48 percent households in the state have been covered under metering process, and the remaining households are increasing the T&D losses. As per the census report of 2011, during the year 2010-11, 1753201 out of total 2015088 households are availing the electricity but only 1490696 households are registered with the PDD. The power development department in Jammu and Kashmir is being headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and as per the economic survey report; the department needs to improve the system.
The survey report has suggested that highly subsidised tariff combined with poor metering is financially unsustainable for the state. To decrease the T&D losses, the report has suggested the government should ensure transparency and accountability in T&D sector, besides, corporatization of power development department and public-private partnership through franchise in distribution of electricity. Enforcement of ban on use of incandescent lamps in government department, public sector establishments, industrial and commercial installation and procurement of four star rated appliance for government offices, should further be ensured. |
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