Ishtiyaq Ahmad
Early Times Report
Srinagar, June 11: After failing to bring down Aggravate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses on its own, the J&K government has sought central assistance to check these losses.
The J&K has around 50 percent AT&C and Transmission & Distribution (T&D) losses, highest in the country.
The neighbouring states of Himachal Pradesh, Delhi and Chandigarh have 20, 21, and 19 percent T&D losses, respectively.
The J&K has failed to bring down the T&D losses despite hike in power tariff of over 200 per cent in the last one decade in the state.
A report submitted by the Abraham Committee headed by P Abraham in 2011 slammed the Power Development Department of JK, asserting that it had not made "any serious effort to reduce the loss levels".
"Instead of curbing the loss levels, they are seeking to pass on the burden of the entire loss level to the consumers," the report had said. The committee had directed the government to reduce the T&D losses in the state.
An official of the PDD said they have sought funds from the central government to bring down AT&C losses in the state.
He said some funds have been released for installation of meters to stop power theft, which will bring down AT&C losses. "Once funds are being released, AT&C will go done considerably," he said.
The Abraham report had also slammed the JKPDD, saying it has not made any serious effort to reduce the loss levels. "Instead of curbing the loss, they are seeking to pass on the burden of the entire loss level to the consumers," the report says.
According to the PDD report submitted to SERC earlier, it says that reducing T&D losses alone would not address the issue of power deficit in the state.
The report has said that main reasons for high AT&D losses were absence of up gradation of old lines and equipment, poor repair and maintenance of equipment, non-installation of sufficient capacitors, theft & pilferage and tampering of meters, low accountability of employees, etc.
While as a centrally sponsored scheme has also been implemented in the state to bring down the T&D losses, which would cost as per the estimates Rs 3115 crore.
The Centre, too, has slammed the state several times for failing to reduce the (T&D) losses. It has directed the JK government to improve revenue recovery and check the pilferage, a major cause of T&D losses.
An official of the PDD said that government at the top have to take measures to reduce the T&D losses.
"The T&D losses are around 62 per cent in Kashmir and 40 per cent in Jammu region. The losses can be at par with the national average when government takes some concrete steps," the official said. Installation of metering, the official said could bring down these losses.
"Funds have also been sought from the centre for installation of 100 per cent metering in the state by 2020," the official said. |
