MUCH NEEDED STEP
Looking into the power outage scenario in last two months, the Central Government’s approval for Rs 12,000 crore under Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) for Jammu and Kashmir to overhaul power infrastructure in both urban and rural areas is laudable step as this will ensure uninterrupted power supply to the Union Territory. Reportedly, the scheme has provision for providing Rs 6000 crore to each Division in the UT viz Rs 6000 crore to Kashmir and the same amount to its other counterpart Jammu paving way for making the power edifice robust and efficient. The people of the UT can expect uninterrupted power supply, plugging pilferage and reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses after the utilization of this bounty by the Centre. It is however necessary for the government of J&K to put serious efforts on generating power revenue as this is significant to cut the losses it was suffering because of wide gap between funds incurred on power supply and revenue received from different accounts. It is pertinent to mention that there was a proposal with the Central Government to provide Rs 8,000 crore worth package to Jammu and Kashmir under RDSS—Rs 4,000 cr each to two divisions but with the intervention of the UT Government and administration and support by the Central leadership the amount was raised to Rs 12,000 crore—Rs 6,000 cr each for two divisions. With the money incurred J&K government can fortify power edifice through installation of new transformers, electric poles, wires, Smart Meters, etc.
It is anticipated now that the dismal situation in rural areas where wires are hung on trees or wooden poles will also improve and the new transformers and other improved infrastructure will give a new leash of life to power edifice thus enhancing the supply and minimizing disruption in supply which presently is in vogue in villages. Now it depends on the J&K government to take good care of funds and utilize them judiciously because this is one time opportunity to show to the centre that the government in the UT is sincere towards resolving the issues of people.