Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Dec 7: Federation of Industries Jammu (FOIJ) has demanded roll back of the hike in the power tariff.
An urgent meeting of Federation of Industries Jammu was held here today under the chairmanship of Lalit Mahajan, chairman (FOIJ) to discuss the issue regarding the unwarranted power tariff hike from 10 to 13 % by JKSERC for Industrial sector vide its order No. 38-JKSERC of 2016 passed on October 7, 2016 but put on public domain on November 15, 2016 applicable from October Ist, 2016 for the reason best known to the authorities as all the Govt orders always applicable from the date of publication of order in print & electronic media.
The members present in the meeting raised serious concern in respect of the 10 to 13% power tariff hike for Industrial Sector by J&KSERC in spite of the fact that the Power Development Department has failed to control the transmission losses resulting huge financial losses to the Govt. PDD Department also failed to implement the directives for the 100% Metering as Non- metering is the major factor of Power theft and Transmission Losses.
The Industrial Sector is penalized by the JKSERC by increasing the Power tariff in spite of fact that Industry Consumes 30% power & contributes 70% of total revenue generation of PDD, Industry is 100% metered & generates 100% revenue and the T&D losses are much less than the national average.
The PDD has failed to reduce the T&D losses in last five years which is increasing day by day. Further, no action has been taken by the Power Development Department to regularize the unmetered Power Supply to different Consumers of our State resulting heavy losses to State exchequer and the Department has passed the burden to the Genuine Consumers.
Mahajan said that industrial sector is also passing through crisis due to ongoing turmoil in the Kashmir.
FOIJ appealed to the Chief Minister, Dy Chief Minister (I/C Power Minister) and Industries Minister to intervene into the matter and issue necessary orders to roll back on recent power tariff hike.
The meeting was also attended by Rajesh Jain, Vijay Aggarwal, Ajit Bawa, Romesh Badyal, Jainder Aul, Rajinder Gupta, SB Abrol, Ajay Langer and others.