Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Apr 9: While the Government of Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir is trying its best to attract huge investment in industrial sector in J&K after the abrogation of Article 370, but the decision of the Power Development Department (PDD) to impose three hours power curtailment in Industrial Estates at Gangyal, Bari Brahmana, Samba, Kathua and other places across UT will not only discourse the new investors from outside, but also cause huge production losses to the industrialists in coming months.
The Industrial unit holders across J&K have strongly reacted to the decision of the Power Development Department to impose power cuts from morning 6 am to 9 am and in some areas from 5 pm to 8 pm daily. They said this is most unjustified and unfair on the part of J&K Government as they had promised 24-hour power supply to the Industry. The Industry has already suffered major setback during last more than two years due to COVID lockdowns and now when a little relief is being felt, the Government has abruptly taken a decision to give major jolt to the Industrial sector.
They strongly pointed out that on one hand the LG’s Administration is trying to woo the investors from outside and asking them to set up their units here assuring all the facilities, but on the other hand, by taking such negative decisions, they are discouraging investment from outside. They are ultimately befooling the top people in the Government at Delhi by taking such localized and unfair decisions.
Federation of Industries Jammu (FOIJ), Chairman, Rajesh Jain while reacting to the JKPDCL’s decision regarding power curtailment said UT administration after the abrogation of Article 370 had assured 24-hour power supply to the Industrial sector, but now what happened to the Government assurance. They have taken U-turn. This is most unwanted and unfair on the part of UT Government. He said many units like Plastic, Ferrous, Non-Ferrous and Cement etc will suffer major production losses.
Jain said he had spoken to MD JKPDCL, Anant Tayal on behalf of the Jammu Industry and MD claimed that Northern Grid has hiked the rates of power and moreover, water flow in rivers has also come down and it is affecting power generation. The cost of coal has also gone high due to Ukraine war and this is also one of the factors. Jain said the UT Govt is avoiding to purchase costly power from Northern Grid and has devised a way by imposing curtailment in Industrial Estates to cover up shortfall. In Kashmir, they will provide 1400 MW and only 900 MW in Jammu despite the fact that power consumption in Jammu is more during summers. They should justify the rationale behind this type of distribution, Jain added.
“April is not considered as peak season, what will be the situation in June-July if things kept on moving like this,” FOIJ chairman maintained.
Lalit Mahajan, president BBIA when contacted said entire Industrial sector is worried over the decision of PDD to impose three hour power cut at Bari Brahmana from 6 am to 9 am daily and in Samba and Kathua from 5 pm to 8 pm. He said many units which operate on continuing process like plastic , metals etc shall suffer huge losses. With this, one shift labour will be left idle. The unit holders will be forced to oust them. He said this is very unfair and unjustified decision and the Government must reconsider its decision because it will ultimately discourage new investors from outside being lured for better facilities here by the UT Administration.
Ajeet Bawa, president Industries Association Kathua said that Industry is J&K has already reached at the verge of closure due to Corona lockdown and other crisis but this decision of the UT Administration will give big jolt to the industry already lying in crisis. He said Cement and plastic units will face major losses as their furnace take much time to get ready for production. Bawa said the Government must review its decision as three hour power cut is not acceptable to the Industrial sector. He said no body will invest here from outside if the Government takes such adverse and negative decisions.
Vijay Aggarwal, president, Industries Association Samba said that there are 170 units in Samba and this decision of the Government will not only cause production losses but many shift workers shall also lose their job. The Government had promised to provide uninterrupted power supply to the Industry in J&K but this abrupt decision amounts to deceiving Industrialists in J&K. The investors from outside will not come here to set up their units if Government takes such negative decisions. Moreover, the Principal Secretary Power and MD JKPDCL must review this decision otherwise, Industry will rise against the UT Administration and may take harsh steps in coming days.
Shaid Kamili, president Federation of Industry, Kashmir said it is unfortunate on the part of J&K Administration. The Industry in J&K has already suffered due to long closures/lock downs during Art 370 abrogation and Covid situation, but now again this decision will definitely affect industrial sector. In Kashmir already Industrial supplies are connected with domestic supplies and it is full of curtailment. The power position should be improved and industry must be provided 24-hour power supply through dedicated feeders, Kamili added.
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