REVOLUTION IN POWER SECTOR
Installation of Smart Meters in coming time will surely bring in revolution in Power Sector as presently the J&K PDD is facing tremendous losses due to various factors including poor metering, corruption and T&D losses. There is no doubt that installation 6 lakh Smart Meters will reduce power losses and pilferages across the Union Territory. Reportedly, 6 lakh Smart Pre-paid meters are to be installed (3 lakh each in Jammu and Kashmir Divisions) for preventing human intervention in billing/collection and subsequent reduction in Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses. No one can deny this hard fact that most of the people in J&K were used to indulge in corrupt practices to get the electricity for free or at nominal charges by either manipulating the meters, greasing the palms of the PDD ground staff or in some cases getting the electricity supply through illegal hooking thus enjoying services at no cost at all. All this has lead to continuous losses to the government but the successive dispensations who seldom care about conserving the wealth and resources of the state never paid any heed towards this problem and that was the reason that the PDD edifice had reached on the verge of collapse. It was BJP Government led by PM Narendra Modi that took corrective steps and rejuvenated the department of Power which was on the verge of collapse. With concerted efforts of LG Manoj Sinha, the power scenario has presently become vibrant and losses have been curtailed significantly. The government move to install smart meters will further the cause of streamlining power sector and providing round the clock power supply to people living in the UT. Already, dynamic steps have been taken by the UT Administration to bolster the power sector edifice and soon with the introduction of smart meters things will be improved further and the power crisis which used to be inherent will be eliminated once and for all. Besides, reports are confirming that J&K is all set to double the Hydropower Generation Capacity in the next 3 years from the existing capacity of 3500 MW thus making the UT power surplus, which is like a dream coming true. With the reforms in power sector, J&K is likely to become self sufficient.