STATE TIMES NEWS
BUDGAM: Member Parliament, Tariq Hameed Karra, who is also the Chairman of monitoring committee of Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) and Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), on Tuesday called for time-bound completion of various power augmentation schemes to further improve power supply position and to strengthen the electric network in district Budgam where 86 per cent populace resides in hilly areas.
Speaking at the first review meeting of DDUGJY and IPDS in Budgam on Tuesday, Karra underscored the need for speedy electrification of unconnected rural areas with focus on reducing transformer damages. He said reducing Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses is vital to improving availability of the power to the consumers.
Karra expressed dismay over slow pace of expenditure on account of MPLAD funds, and asked the concerned engineers to explain reasons for laxity in this regard.
Karra also reviewed progress of implementation of various centrally sponsored schemes including RMSA. It was stated that 26 new school buildings have been constructed under RMSA in the district and all the buildings have been provided with drinking water and toilet facilities.
The meeting, among others was attended by the District Development Commissioner Budgam Mir Altaf Ahmad, Senior Superintendent of Police Fayaz Ahmad, Superintending Engineer PDD & District Officers of various departments.
The meeting was informed that against demand of 250MVA of power, the consumers of the district are supplied 109MVA at present and all the required measures are effort to bridge the demand-supply gap.
The meeting was informed that an outlay of Rs 75.21 crore has been envisaged for implementation of DDUGJY with a provision of Rs 24.3 crore for providing electricity to unconnected habitations, an amount of Rs. 46.94 crore for strengthening power system and Rs 0.57 crore for electronic metering. The project also envisages an outlay of Rs. 3.33 crore for implementation and monitoring of the scheme so that 100% population in the targeted areas is provided electric supply by the end 2019.
It was stated that under Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), about 8956 consumers of 6 urban towns of the district Budgam namely Budgam, Khansahib, Magam, Chrar-e-Sharief, Chadoora and Beerwah are being covered with an expenditure of Rs. 23.07 Crore.
