Jammu: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha chaired a high-level meeting to review the power scenario in Jammu & Kashmir at Civil Secretariat today, an official press release informed.
It said the LG appraised the multi-pronged strategies to meet the high electricity demand in the summer season and directed for integrating reforms for making the power sector robust and resilient.
The LG directed for effective enforcement through a dedicated enforcement wing for the detection of electricity theft, wrong metering, enquiring into public complaints, unauthorized extensions in load, and surprise checking.
The LG also directed for immediate steps to ensure the functioning of all the meters on 11 kV, and repair of the damaged meters within one month.
Smart meters must be saturated feeder-wise to protect consumer interests and quality standards. It will empower the consumers and help them to conserve energy and usage in an efficient manner, the LG said.
The LG also sought a report on steps taken to reduce AT&C losses. He further directed the department to fix the responsibility and draw up an action plan for reducing the losses within a specific timeframe.
The LG emphasized on training and capacity building of PDD staff; online registration of new consumers; massive awareness drive; proper maintenance of power infrastructure and constitution of teams of officers for monitoring the physical condition of the equipment.
The LG passed explicit directions for ensuring power supply to new industrial estates and railway tunnels.
The LG also reviewed the steps taken toward quality control; completion of languishing projects, revenue realization, and network strengthening.
H. Rajesh Prasad, Principal Secretary Power Development Department briefed the chair on the effective measures taken to bridge the demand and supply gap.
It was informed that additional capacities were created during the winter to enable peak demand and 10 percent more power was supplied as compared to last year.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to LG; Shiv Anant Tayal, Managing Director, JPDCL; Ch. Mohammad Yasin, Managing Director, KPDCL; Chief Engineers and senior officials attended the meeting, in person and through virtual mode.
Meanwhile, LG also chaired a review meeting of the Department of Industries & Commerce, at Civil Secretariat today.
According to an official press release, the LG exhorted officials to strive to maintain the momentum of growth recorded in the previous year and build a stronger ecosystem for nurturing a start-up culture that would further drive our economic growth.
“Sustained efforts are required to give a fillip to the start-up ecosystem that will further support entrepreneurship, and enable large-scale employment opportunities,” the LG said.
During the meeting, the LG was informed about the progress made and the milestones achieved towards developing a robust industrial ecosystem in Jammu & Kashmir.
A discussion was also held on One District One Product (ODOP) and District Export Plan to realize the true potential of a district, fuel economic growth, and generate employment.
Dr Arun Kumar Mehta, Chief Secretary; Prashant Goyal, Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce Department; H Rajesh Prasad, Principal Secretary, Housing & Urban Development Department; Sarita Chauhan, Commissioner/Secretary, Labour, and Employment Department; Dr Mandeep Kumar Bhandari, Principal Secretary to LG; Dr. Piyush Singla, Administrative Secretary, Revenue Department, besides senior officers of UT administration were present.
