STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: As the temperature is dipping and it is becoming chillier, it assumes utmost importance on part of the state government to ensure that the people get uninterrupted power supply. This was stated by BJP State Spokesperson and State Press Secretary Balbir Ram Rattan while expressing concern over imposition of unannounced power cuts in the State.
Balbir said that with each passing day the mercury level is going down, the days and nights are becoming colder and there is intense sheet of fog in morning and evening hours. “Although the people keep themselves warm with clothes but it is not enough. Round the clock availability of electricity is must as the power cuts create problems for students, housewives, patients, aged persons, etc. Electricity in the modern times has assumed the status of most essential requirement of the society. The people are, by and large, leading hand to mouth existence with limited financial resources and every person cannot afford private generators and invertors. The government ought to be mindful of these circumstances”, he said.
Balbir said that the government has a full-fledged Power Development Department which is presided by, none other than, the Chief Minister himself, who is the Power Minister also. “The CM should appreciate and realise the needs and problems of the people and personally look as to why electricity is not supplied uninterruptedly. The state government should setup gas turbines and diesel generators on the pattern of Kashmir Valley, so that during the extreme weather, the scarcity of power would be mitigated, people get respite and they pull through the harsh weather to keep moving”, he said. “The PDD staff should be more concerned, conscious and aware of its duty towards the work for which it has been set up but it is most unfortunate that they do not put in the required effort to ensure regular supply of electricity”, he regretted.
Balbir also asked the government whether there is a project lying with it for setting up of a thermal power project and why the same has not been taken up inspite of the fact that the electricity is always in short supply and causes lot of miseries to the people.