Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Nov 28: Former Minister and MLA Amirakadal Syed Mohammad Altaf Bukhari today appealed Chief Minister, Mehbooba Mufti to extend the timeline of Power Amnesty Scheme by March 31, 2017 so that the consumers are in a position to pay their pending power bills voluntarily.
While the revenue collection is essential for the Power Development Department to ensure a hassle-free power supply to its consumers more particularly during winters, Bukhari, however, said the Government must also take into consideration difficulties faced by the people in Kashmir during last five months. These difficulties, he said, got coupled by the issues that surfaced after demonetization decision taken by the Union Government.
Altaf Bukhari further said that the PDP led Government’s move to grant Power Amnesty to the consumers last year providing a waiver of 100% surcharge on pending electricity charges is laudable but a substantial number of domestic consumers, sick trade and industrial units for various reasons could not avail the benefits of this scheme.
“In view of these difficulties faced by the people I appeal the Chief Minister to order for extension in the deadline of Power Amnesty Scheme up to March 31, 2017 for domestic consumers, sick trade and industrial units across Kashmir,” the former Minister demanded.
In addition to amnesty on surcharge, Bukhari also called for a 50 % waiver in pending bills for the marginalized communities and BPL consumers who presently avail the PDD services on flat rate of Rs 325 (.5 KW) Rs 490 (.75 KW) Rs 644 (1 KW) for the last five months.
Mr Bukhari said that the tariff realization on concessional rates is bound to improve the revenue collection of the department which in long run will benefit the consumers in the State. He also urged the Government to take measures towards tariff rationalization by identifying barriers and chalking out suitable ways to achieve tariff rationalization by the Power Development Department.
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