*Take steps to eradicate corruption, electricity thefts
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, June 28: Concerned over lack of required focus on tapping of power potential by constructing small and mini hydro electric projects, the Committee on Estimates has asked the State Government to follow the pattern adopted in Himachal Pradesh to overcome the power crisis in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Committee on Estimates, during the course of interactions with the representatives of the Power Development Department, came to know that not much focus has so far been laid on tapping of available power potential by constructing small and mini hydro electric projects.
It has observed that neighboring State of Himachal Pradesh has made huge success in tapping of available power potential in almost all the parts of the State by constructing small and mini hydro electric projects.
It is pertinent to mention here that small and mini hydro electric projects are being preferred not only in Himachal Pradesh but also in many other States of the country because such projects are constructed in shortest possible time and that too without huge investments.
Though some small and mini power projects were planned and even work was started on the same but the step could not yield the desired result in Jammu and Kashmir mainly because no proper strategy or mechanism has been evolved in this direction till date.
Suggesting that time has come for the State to lay focus on small and mini power projects, the Committee on Estimates has asked the Government to start such projects to overcome the problem of power scenario in the State on the pattern of Himachal Pradesh.
“A team of the Power Development Department shall be deputed to the neighboring State to study and inspect the power projects there so that J&K initiates similar steps to tide over power crisis”, the House Panel said.
Expressing deep concern over the insensitiveness of the Power Development Department on various other issues, the Committee on Estimates has asked the Government to stop billing in favour of the consumers for the period the electricity was not supplied to them due to damaged transformers etc.
“The department should keep available a buffer stock of the transformers besides getting the existing workshops strengthened by way of providing sufficient manpower and funds to them enabling them to purchase the requisite material for the execution of repairs of the damaged transformers”, the report said.
It is pertinent to mention here that there is general complaint of the people that repair of transformers takes much time thereby creating problems for them. Though several announcements were made to establish new transformer workshops but the same have yet not come out of the official files.
Stressing the authorities of the Power Development Department to ensure close coordination among different cadres for mitigating sufferings of the people, the Committee on Estimates said, “the department should put in all efforts to increase the revenue and eradicate corruption and power thefts at the grass root level”, adding “the department should check consumption of power in every household”.
“There is dire need for the Power Development Department to come up with a blue-print and approach the World Bank for requisite funding and for achieving the targeted date of the completion of the under construction projects in the State”.
The Committee has also noted with deep concern the lack of coordination between Power Development Department and Power Development Corporation over the implementation of Centrally sponsored schemes particularly Deen Dayal Upadhaya Scheme.
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