SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed directed Power Development Department (PDD) to purchase additional 250 MW of power to overcome increased demand during the forthcoming holy fasting month of Ramazan and peak summer season in Jammu.
“In order to overcome increased demand of power during holy month of Ramazan and peak summer season in Jammu, Sayeed issued directions to PDD to purchase additional 250 MW of power,” an official spokesman said.
The spokesman said the Chief Minister issued the direction while chairing a high-level meeting to review the working of PDD here.
Calling upon the department to ensure that uninterrupted electricity is provided to people during the fasting month of Ramazan, especially at ‘sehri’ (start of the day long fast) and ‘iftaar’ (breaking of the fast), Sayeed said he would examine the issue of increasing power purchase allocation of the department. He said the additional purchase would also augment power supply in Jammu, providing much needed relief to people from scorching summer heat.
The Chief Minister also instructed PDD to stick to fixed schedules of load shedding and not resort to undeclared power cuts.
Sayeed, however, linked purchase of power to improvement in recovery by putting an effective monitoring system in place that checks pilferage.
“Surprise and random checking will act as a deterrent against power theft for which the Department will have to evolve an effective mechanism,” he stressed.
On the issue of providing funds for restoration of power infrastructure damaged in last year’s floods, the Chief Minister was informed that a DPR has been prepared which envisages cost of Rs 170 crore to begin long-term restoration of power sector infrastructure.
The Chief Minister was also briefed about harnessing 7,500 MW of solar power in Ladakh Division under National Solar Mission of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, the spokesman said, adding 2,000 hectares of land would be acquired to generate 2,000 MW of solar power in the first phase. He said the Chief Minister was also briefed about the measures being taken for 100 per cent metering and use of advance technology by installing pre-paid meters.
Deputy Chief Minister, who also holds the charge of Power Department, said the government will harness the huge potential in hydel power generation so that the state becomes self-reliant.