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| Pay more power tariff, Get more power cuts | | Un-metered, illegal consumers using more power | | Sandeep Bhat
Early Times Report
Jammu, May 7: The increase in power tariff by the State government by average 12 percent is unjust and unwarranted for the people of State who are frequently facing continuous power cuts. The power development department during the tenure of Cong-PDP coalition govt. led by Ghulam Nabi Azad had increased the tariff and load capacity unliterary which evokes strong criticism and condemnation from the public. Coalition government also promised to provide uninterrupted power supply (24 hrs) to those areas, where electronic meters will be installed. But to the contrary, the electricity was provided for few months then same old story repeated with frequent power cuts. Whether mufti led coalition, Azad led coalition or now Omar led coalition, every govt.making big promises but sooner or later, their promises fell flat on the ground. People of the state always coopertated with the govt. But it is the irony, that every promise is being broken by the successive govts. During Amarnath land agitation, people faced the longest ever power breakdown for nearly two months, when the unscheduled power cuts remain for 10-14hrs. Now the recent hike in power tariff by 12 percent is unjust and uncalled for. According to SERC (State electricity Regulatory Commission), it has observed that only 53 percent consumers in State were metered with just 52 percent in domestic category and 52 percent in agriculture sector. Others are using electricity either on flat rates or without paying anything to the deptt. Sources said the commission had in 2007-08, directed the PDD to complete 100 percent consumer metering by Dec 2009, However , despite repeated pursuance by the commission, the extent of consumer metering continued to be at unaccepted levels.
More important, the labour class from Bihar, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Orissa and other parts of Country constitute a sizable population which are spread in large area of the State with maximum concentration on Jammu and Srinagar. In Jammu, large number of Jhugis are seen at Trikuta Nagar, Gandhi Nagar, Channi Himmat, sainik Colony, Greater Kailash, Janipur, Talab Tilloo, Satwari, Gangyal and other places also consume electricity. They use gadgets like coolers, fans, Heaters, bulbs, and electric iron for their daily uses. They do not have proper meters or proper connection, resulting in theft of power, losses to state exchequer etc. and PDD has no monitoring cell to overlook this menace. Talking to ET correspondent, Ramesh Bhatia, a resident of Channi Himmat, said that, from the day power tariff was increased, more power cuts has been introduced in our area. Form the last 4 days, our area see frequent power cuts of longer duration. This is just not accepted on the one hand PDD increasing tariff without prior information and instead of giving uninterrupted power supply, they give us sleepless nights by giving more power cuts Prof A.K. koul, of posh Trikuta Nagar locality, said it is always the people who pay proper tariff is being effected. Why PDD not taking any action against illegal consumers, he asked. Talking to ET correspondent, M.Qasim, Chief Engineer, PDD (Power development department), said that only 12 percent hike has been increased against 62 percent proposed by PDD. There was no other option but to increase the tariff as the department is losing the revenue in crores in terms of T&D losses and illegal power pilferage. Our department is also facing shortage of man power as new recruitments have not taken place yet and those who are working on daily wages basis have not provided salary from last couple of months. We have approached to the govt. for the necessary action and urged them to solve the problem of shortage of manpower. Regarding the power theft, we have constituted the different inspection teams for different areas which will check this menance and the violators will be booked under law. The metering of the left out area will be taken soon and will be completed in proper time.
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