Come winters consumption of domestic power will increase leading to frequent breakdowns and power cuts causing hardships to the people. Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti’s assertion that power sector is key enabler to rebound the Jammu and Kashmir economy sounds quite optimistic but the ground reality changes much faster. In actual terms the state is only tapping 3,272 MW of power which is negligible compared to untapped vast reserves. State buys from central pool and other states to meet its need. The power sector scenario in the state is in disarray with open pilferage, under billing, manipulations through ‘Kundi’ used by well off to Jhuggiwalas with impunity, low power revenue collection in both domestic and commercial sectors, high transmission and distribution (T&D) losses because of geographical disadvantages. The state carries a negative account with more drawal and mounting liabilities due to power purchase. There is a widening gap between power purchased and revenue realized making the situation critical. The demand for power consumption would increase manifold thus adding burden to the already existing weak infrastructure. Even if the projected capacity addition as envisaged is taken into account include 6254.50 MW generation of power through 13 state sector, 1679 MW through 5 central sector and 1210 MW through big and small IPP projects the full potential remains untouched. The implementation of flagship schemes like RAPDRP (Restructured Accelerated Power Development & Reforms Programme), DDUGJY (Deen Dayal Upadhayaya Gram Jyoti Yojana) and IPDS (Integrated Power Development Scheme) presents a grim picture with most of them remaining midway of execution or has not taken off because of various bottlenecks present in the system. As far as improving revenue collection is concerned there is a need for actual mapping of consumers by linking data of Power Department with CA&PD and States Tax Departments. More than 100 villages are still to get electricity in the state, which PDD is targeting to cover. Financial discipline is needed the most to make power sector key factor of change and growth as the demand for power is going to increase in future also.
