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| Govt prepares blueprint for checking power pilferage | | |
EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Mar 12 : Transmission and distribution losses in the power sector up to 47% and failure of the government to recover power tariff has strained the state budget considerably. The government has responded by preparing a blue print for checking power pilferage.
The Government in order to reduce the level of losses has prepared a blueprint for reforms in the power sector. The blueprint has been prepared by the experts of the Energy Research Institute. The Government has already implemented the Restructured Accelerated Power Development Reforms in 30 cities and towns of Jammu and Kashmir. The existing high voltage distribution system and the Aerial Bunched cable are being extended to the urban areas in a phased manner. The programme is expected to check power thefts.
Sources said that the distribution network was being revamped with the commissioning of 34 new grid stations and 29 transmission lines at a cost of Rs.1351 crores.
The idea behind all these schemes was to reduce the level of power pilferage. It has been seen that the number of unauthorized power connections had been on the increase. Around 10,000 unauthorized connections were regularized in a drive launched in 2007.
Experts believe that the existing gap between the demand and supply of power could be reduced once the level of power pilferage was reduced. "If the new schemes being introduced helped the Government to reduce power pilferage and transmission and distribution losses by just 25 per cent the load shedding period could be easily reduced", the hoped. .
The new power generation schemes, according to them, may not be the solution to the existing power crisis unless these schemes are backed up effective transmission and distribution system. They suggested amendment of the relevant laws to ensure recovery of tariff without hassles. "As compared to the Jammu region the power tariff from the Kashmir valley was on the lower side even when the consumption was on the higher side", they disclosed. .
The Government has directed the Power Development Department to initiate effective measures for recovery of tariff including snapping of power connections if the need arises.
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