SRINAGAR :MLA Nazir Ahmad Khan (Gurezi) today chaired a meeting of the Committee on Estimates at the Legislative Assembly in Srinagar to review the power scenario in Jammu and Kashmir with special emphasis on timely completion of Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) projects.
The meeting was attended by Legislators Javid Hassan Baig, Mushtaq Guroo, Irshad Rasool Kar, Sajad Shaheen and Mian Mehar Ali. Secretary Assembly Manoj Kumar Pandit and officials of the Assembly Secretariat were also present on the occasion.
Officers of the Power Development Department (PDD) gave a detailed presentation on the physical and financial progress under RDSS, PMDP and other flagship schemes, including budget utilization, grid augmentation and power procurement.
*Chairman Reviews Smart Metering & Renewable Energy*
Chairman Nazir Gurezi said that smart metering will streamline billing, improve collection efficiency and provide relief to consumers. He also reviewed renewable energy initiatives under PM-KUSUM, rooftop solar and electrification of unconnected border hamlets.
He sought a clear timeline for achieving 100 per cent grid connectivity and ensuring stable off-grid supply where grid extension is not feasible.
*Members Raise Public Issues*
Members raised public concerns over high AT&C losses, slow progress on smart metering, unscheduled power cuts, billing disputes and slow replacement of bare conductors with Aerial Bunched (AB) Cables.
*Focus on Winter Preparedness*
In view of the approaching winter, the Chairman stressed the need for robust winter preparedness, including adequate reserves of Distribution Transformers (DTs) and deployment of quick response teams for snow-bound and far-flung areas to avoid prolonged outages.
*Committee Seeks Data Within Fortnight*
The Committee directed the Department to submit within a fortnight:
- Circle-wise AT&C loss data
- Complaint resolution figures
- Outstanding liabilities to CPSUs/IPPs
- Updated status of hydro projects along with cost escalation and revised timelines
Senior officers present included Ashwani Kumar, ACS PDD, Babila Rakwal, Commissioner Secretary Science and Technology, Rahul Yadav, MD JKSPDC, G.P. Singh, MD JPDCL, Mahmood A Shah, MD KPDCL, M.S. Malik, DG Budget, and other senior officers of JKPTCL, JKPCL, JAKEDA, NHPC, KPDCL and JPDCL.