PDD rebuts news regarding power crisis in Kashmir
Valley
Says additional 100 MW power supplied in Valley in
past 20 days
JAMMU, DECEMBER 9: Strongly countering the report
published today in ‘News Now’ newspaper and circulated on social media
regarding the power supply situation in Kashmir Valley, the Power Development
Department has termed the news as factually incorrect and
misleading.
According to a rebuttal issued here by PDD in this
regard, the department has supplied additional power of around 100 MW to
Kashmir region during the winter season this year (last 20 days), as compared
to the corresponding period of last year.
Giving break up about the power supply data, the
document read that there was an average power supply of 1388 MW in 2023-24
against 1489 MW in 2024-25 from 16th to 30th of November recording an
additional supply of 101 MW, 1465 MW in 2023-24 against 1525 MW in 2024-25 from
1st to 4th December registering an additional supply of 60 MW and 1450 MW in
2023-24 against 1595 MW in 2024-25 from 4th to 8th December making an
additional supply of 145 MW.
The rebuttal reads “As would therefore be seen, it
is incorrect to say that Kashmir region has been supplied less power during
these winters. In fact, out of concern about the power shortage in Kashmir
during winters, the Chief Minister, in a meeting with the Union Power Minister
held in October, had requested for his intervention for additional power as a
short-term measure to address the rising demand due to dropping temperatures in
the valley. It may be noted that in a major relief for the public, the Ministry
of Power has allocated 300 MW of firm power to Jammu and Kashmir to meet winter
demand, on 7th November 2024. The report about less power supplied to Kashmir
region during this winter is factually incorrect.
The document further added that following up on
this, on 4th December 2024, the J&K Chief Minister reviewed the power
supply position in the UT and instructed to ensure that Kashmir doesn’t suffer
on account of power shortage this winter. He also directed the PDD to formulate
a better curtailment schedule, with less power cuts and also ensuring strict adherence
to the same. Observing that 24x7 power supply may not be a reality during the
winters this time, and also that unscheduled and irregular cuts are an even
bigger problem, he directed the Principal Secretary PDD and the two MDs of
Discoms to ensure that the publicised load curtailment schedule is adhered to,
to the last minute. While agreeing to the Finance Secretary’s observations on
the revenue gaps from the power dues’ recovery, he emphasised that these are
two separate issues and need to be seen separately. While on the one hand the
government must strive to provide regular power, the department should be made
more accountable for affecting recoveries of the power dues and curbing power
thefts.”
”While the Government is committed for 24x7 power,
it appeals to the general public to use power judiciously and minimise energy
wastage, particularly by avoiding high power consuming electrical appliances
like crude water heaters and other energy guzzlers. The citizens must also
realize that no resource can be supplied free of cost endlessly. The department
remains committed to provide reliable power supply to the citizens.”, added the
rebuttal.