Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 28: Division Bench of State High Court comprising Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice B S Walia today issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Commissioner/ Secretary, Power Development Department over unprecedented power curtailments in Jammu.
In a Public Interest Litigation filed by Citizen Forum, Senior Advocate S S Lehar and Advocate Aditya Sharma submitted that a project of laying power cables has been initiated by the PDD and for the implementation of this project, there is requirement of 8 to 12 hours of power cuts daily for minimum one month in one area.
“The work is vigorously going on in Jammu as a result of which power cuts of 8 to 12 hours are taking place that too when the summer season is at its peak level and people are facing great hardships because of the scorching heat”, they said, adding “these power cuts are adding miseries to the life of people as the temperature has gone high and it has become impossible to live without electricity”.
“Despite of the fact that people of Jammu are having power meters installed in their houses and are regularly making payments, still they have been put to harassment by the department”, they said, adding “this project can be implemented first in hilly areas of Jammu region and then to the Jammu city. If darbar can be moved for 6 months then why this project cannot be shifted for six months. Moreover, this project is not only causing problem to the students during exam times but also to the patients and elderly persons and if the project is shifted for six months to the cold and hilly areas of the State then the difficulties which the people are facing right now can be redressed”.
After hearing counsels for the PIL, DB issued notices to the Chief Secretary and Commissioner/ Secretary, Power Development Department and keeping in view the importance of the issue put the matter for consideration on June 3.
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