Early Times Report
JAMMU, Apr 24: The Federation of Industries Jammu (FOIJ) has strongly opposed the proposed power tariff hike for FY 2025-26 submitted by Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Ltd. (JPDCL) to the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), calling it an economic death sentence for the industrial sector in Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory.
In an urgent meeting chaired by Lalit Mahajan, Chairman FOIJ, and attended by Co-Chairmen S.C. Dutta, Jatinder Aul, Ajit Bawa, Raman Jolly, and Viraaj Malhotra (Convenor), along with a large number of industrial stakeholders, the Federation expressed grave concern over the proposed 100% increase in power tariffs.
FOIJ termed the proposed hike as a "Black Warrant" for both existing and newly established industrial units in the UT, warning that such a move could force many units to shut down, leading to a significant rise in unemployment.
The Federation criticized JPDCL for failing to reduce its Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses, which remain as high as 45-50%, far above the national average of 16%. FOIJ stated that industrial areas like Bari Brahmana, Samba, Kathua, Digiana, and Gangyal experience only 6-8% transmission losses, with industries regularly paying their dues. Hence, penalizing them for systemic inefficiencies is unjust and unfair.
Moreover, the Federation pointed out the contradiction in the government's stance-while the Industries and Commerce Department promotes J&K as an investor-friendly destination with subsidized power tariffs under the New Central Sector Scheme (NCSS)-2021, JPDCL's proposed hike sends an opposite message, amounting to a "betrayal" of the industrial sector.
FOIJ also flagged the issue of unscheduled power cuts in key industrial zones, leading to substantial production losses and disruptions in operations, further compounding the crisis.
In a heartfelt appeal, the Federation has urged Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha, Chief Minister Jenab Omar Abdullah, Deputy CM Surinder Kumar Choudhary, and JERC Chairman Mohd Rafi Andrabi to intervene and immediately reject the proposed tariff hike to safeguard the interests of the industrial sector and preserve employment opportunities in the UT. |
