Excelsior Correspondent
Kathua, Sept 20: The Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh today asked the Power Development Department (PDD) to make people aware about the importance of judicious use of electricity and evolve an effective mechanism to check power pilferage.
The Minister was speaking to the department functionaries during his visit to Power Station, Kathua.
He said that the Government has initiated steps to improve the power scenario in the state which can only be achieved with the support of all the stakeholders.
“To lower load shedding and provide relief to people we have to ensure that electricity is used judiciously and pilferage is plugged at all: he asked the PDD officers,” he said.
He laid special emphasis on checking power pilferage by acting tough against the illegal connection holders. He also stressed on the need to motivate the domestic consumers with pending bills to avail the amnesty and settle down their outstanding payments in installments.
Dr Singh also said that the issue of having a permanent judicial magistrate at Kathua for the realization of amount of bills and disposal of other electricity disputes will be taken up with Law Ministry.
The Deputy Chief Minister also informed that Government keen to upgrade the PDD workshop to improve its efficiency and reduce dependency on private players.
Earlier, Chief Engineer PDD, Superintendent Engineer, XEn PDD detailed Dr Singh about the functioning of Power Station and the power distribution system. The team of officers also apprised the Deputy Chief Minister about the infrastructural requirement at the Power Station.
Meanwhile, the Deputy Chief Minister also interacted with a deputation of industrialists.
Dr Nirmal Singh said that the Government has relaxed 12 % duty on the electricity for all consumers which will also benefit the industrial unit holders. He said a formal notification in this regard will be issued soon. He said steps will be taken to cater the electricity demand of the industries in the state.
Later, Deputy Chief Minister paid obeisance at Gurudwarda Sri Kalgidar and met with the representatives of 1947 PoK refugees.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Nirmal Singh said that Government has submitted its recommendations to the Central Government for one time settlement package in the shape of token money for the displaced refugees. “The special package for J&K being announced by the Central Government shortly will have package for refugees too”, he assured them, adding that all the displaced families will be covered under the package.
Later, Dr Nirmal Singh visited Housing Colony in Kathua and took stock of the facilities available to the residents. He also interacted with the residents of the Housing Colony.
MLA Hiranagar, Kuldeep Kumar, MD Housing Board, DC Kathua Ramesh Kumar and other district officers were present on the occasion.
The residents presented a charter of demands to the Deputy Chief Minister demanding direct road connectivity with National Highway, community hall, repair of high mast lights and improvement in drainage sewerage system.
Later, Dr Nirmal Singh visited Kandi village Paiya in Tehsil Hiranagar and convened Public Grievance redressal Camp.
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