Power protests reach Govt.’s doorstep Div Comm’s motorcade stopped Wednesday, 27 November 2013.SEN.. Power protests reach Govt.’s doorstep SRINAGAR: Kashmir Valley is grappling with ‘electricity crisis’ these days and people living both in the rural and urban areas have to face long scheduled and unscheduled power curtailments who at many places have left with only option - to block and protest on roads which have now reached to government offices as well. On Tuesday, in a similar incident, people in Shaheed Gung area of Srinagar protested against the recent Power Development Department’s (PDD) curtailment schedule. As per the latest power curtailment schedule issued by PDD, non-metered areas will reel under more darkness this winter as there will be 57 hours of curtailment per week as compared to metered areas where curtailment hours per week is 17 hours. Scores of people protested outside the Divisional Commissioner’s office in Shaheed Gunj Srinagar on Tuesday and didnt allow the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar to enter his office for over half an hour. The protesters raised anti-government and anti-PDD slogans and demanded that electricity should be provided to them as per the schedule. “During installation of electricity meters, authorities had promised us 24 hour uninterrupted electricity. We know this time, there is shortage of electricity. If the authorities can’t provide us 24 hour electricity but atleast they should provide electricity as per their own schedule,” a group of protesters told Kashmir Monitor. The protesters also said, “We have to face day long curtailments despite paying hefty power bills before the due date which can not be accepted.” Reports of demonstrations by people against the frequent and unscheduled power cuts for long hours were being received from different parts of the valley almost daily. People allege that ministers and top bureaucrats are making big claims through statements in the media about the power situation, but situation on the ground was entirely different where people people have to face frequent and unscheduled power cuts. When contacted Divisional Commissioner Kashmir, Shailendra Kumar told Kashmir Monitor that electricity issue has become a matter of concern for them as well a it is the time when people in Kashmir need more electricity to beat the cold. However, he also said that until the gap between demand and supply would not be bridged, electricity would remain an issue in Kashmir. “The issue of electricity is a matter of concern for us but until the gap between supply and demand would be bridged, it will remain as an issue,” Kumar told Kashmir Monitor. He further said that they are trying their best to provide better electricity to people but added that people should also show their responsibility by not misusing electricity which ultimately creates problems for everyone. “I admit that in the electricity misuse mess, there are some PDD employees responsible,” Kumar said adding that it is the load-shedding due to which people have to face unscheduled power cuts..sen news..
Posted on: Wed, 27 Nov 2013 13:52:21 +0000