PDD misses successive deadlines to install meters Will complete the process in 2016 : PDD chief Engineer Mudasir Tariq Early Times Report Srinagar, Jan 25 : Despite lofty claims by the Power Development department to install meters in every household of the state, only forty percent of the installation has been completed while the department has missed several deadlines. In order to save transmission and distribution loss the department had announced to install these meters, but even after four years the department is yet to complete the process. There is absolute shortage of electricity in the valley. Installing meters could really be helpful to save energy. The lackadaisical approach of the department can be witnessed by the fact that they have now forgotten the process to install meters. The department is in muddle, it has failed to take concrete steps to complete the project said Mehraj-ud-din, a junior engineer with PDD. Reportedly PDD has violated the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Act, 2010, which had kept the deadline for completing the 100 percent metering in the state by 2010. The deadline was revised from time to time but the project is still in limbo. Meanwhile sources in PDD said that the department has asked the high ups that the complete metering will take more time pertaining to the lack of manpower. Among the reasons conveyed by the PDD to the government for delay in the completion of metering in the state include the shortage of manpower and lack of response from the companies that manufacture the gadgets to the procurement bids of the department, said source. Earlier, the Central governments Power Ministry expressed serious concern over the slow pace of installation of meters in the residential accommodations in Jammu and Kashmir noting that due to this the figures of the transmission and distribution loss in the state also couldnt be worked out. Reportedly the transmission and distribution loss is very high in the state in comparison to the national figures and many attribute this to the unregulated power supply in the state. The power losses are likely to increase by 2016-17 financial year. Meanwhile Chief Engineer PDD, Bashir Ahmad Khan while taking to Early times attribute the delay to the lack of finances and resistance on part of the customers. The metering is a very hectic job. During this process we faced several problems like procurement of the equipment, financial problems, people were resisting the installation of meters in their houses and many of the consumers are resorting to pilferage of electricity, he said. However the Chief Engineer held that the process of metering will be completed by 2016. Center has approved a scheme called R-APDRP (Restructured Accelerated Power Development & Reforms Programme) which includes metering, we have got the financial assistance and by 2016 we will complete the process, he said
Posted on: Mon, 26 Jan 2015 06:50:10 +0000
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