Principal Secretary of the Power Development Department has highlighted the critical importance of power sector reforms in Jammu and Kashmir, with smart metres being a key component. These reforms are essential for ensuring a high-quality and affordable power supply and are also important to secure central financial assistance to purchase power. These reforms are crucial to accessing central financial assistance through various power sector schemes. Without implementing these reforms, J&K could face the risk of power shortages resulting potential blackouts.
It’s important to note that while the Government has successfully reformed various sectors in Jammu and Kashmir in the last three years, the power sector continues to face significant challenges. Implementing isolated solutions without addressing all the underlying issues may lead to limited results, as seen in the past. Jammu and Kashmir possesses significant power production potential, but its share is small, which falls short of meeting the UT’s needs. The region experiences extreme weather conditions, with all-season peak demands alternately in the winter and summer zones. The inadequacy of power transmission capacity has historically resulted in unfulfilled peak demands, even when surplus power was available. However, much has been achieved in transmission capacity reforms and distribution under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
Despite the increase in household loads, there has been limited augmentation in the end-user distribution system, which has not been adequately reflected in official records. This mismatch has resulted in low and fluctuating voltage supplies, frequent power cuts, and transformer burnouts. Power theft cannot occur without the active participation of insiders in the department. However, there seems to be no consistent, workable action plan to address this problem. The absence of inspection squads on the ground to combat open theft and the lack of disciplinary actions against erring employees have contributed to the department’s continuous revenue losses. While the Government has established power corporations, significant losses continue to accumulate annually. The AT&C losses in Jammu and Kashmir, at 55percent, are considerably higher than the national average, which is around 10percent. Without holding those responsible at the end-user distribution level accountable and setting targets for reducing losses, little progress can be made.
Regarding smart meters, they may not be malfunctioning, but discrepancies between the last metre readings of old metres in books and actual readings on the ground have caused inflated bills. Meter readers who are responsible for these discrepancies have not been appropriately dealt with, with transfers being the primary action taken when cases of theft are reported. Additionally, despite the installation of smart meters in areas with open wires, illegal connections are still being made. The Government’s hopes of achieving 100percent metering are commendable, but without addressing these internal departmental issues, the desired outcomes may not be realized. Government corporations cannot sustain significant annual losses while the Government bears the expense of their salaries. The responsibility lies with the department to initiate reforms and improve revenue collection.
The UT administration has limited options, as central grants are contingent on further reforms, and without funds, power purchases cannot be made. The Principal Secretary has made it clear that without substantial improvements, challenging times lie ahead for Jammu and Kashmir. The administration must devise ways to fix responsibility and ensure departmental accountability. Action needs to be taken to address the problems created on the ground, and higher authorities must act to bridge the gap in power demand, supply, and losses. People must trust and cooperate with the system, but stringent actions against erring employees are equally necessary. The bitter pill of reforms has to be swallowed by people and departments. Effective action is essential, even alongside the implementation of smart meters. The department must take the initiative to address its weaknesses, and the administration must act promptly, as there is no alternative solution.
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