Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Oct 22: An urgent meeting of Bari Brahmana Industries Association Jammu was held today under chairmanship of Lalit Mahajan to discuss the issue regarding the unwarranted proposed hike in power tariff as per the petition filed by Power Development Department to JKSERC for the year 2019-20.
The members, present in the meeting, raised serious concern in respect of the proposed Power tariff hike in spite of the fact that the PDD has failed to control the Transmission Losses resulting huge financial losses to the Govt. “PDD also failed to implement the directives of JKSERC for the 100 percent metering whereas as per the proposed petition, only 55.34% Metering was done,” they said and alleged that PDD was trying to put the burden on the common people and the Industrial Sector of the State in spite of fact that the T&D Losses in the Industrial areas is 5 to 8 percent, which is much less than the national average of Transmission Losses.
BBIA said it was a matter of great concern that on one side the Government was in the process of inviting the Investors in Industrial Sector with the slogan of “Cheap Subsidized Power” with 24 hours uninterrupted power supply but on the other side, PDD is in the process of increase in the Power tariff which will derail the process of Industries Department for attracting the new Investors in near future.
The BBIA meet, which was attended by Tarun Singla, Ajay Langer, Viraaj Malhotra, Rajesh Jain, Vivek Singhal and others, appealed to Governor Satya Pal Malik to Intervene in to the matter for the immediate withdrawal of Power Tariff Petition by the PDD.
Jammu Civil Society(JCS) under the Chairmanship of CA Pardeep Gandotra has also expressed its utter surprise over the PDD proposal for steep power tariff hike to cover up the gap of Rs 3031.23 crores for the current year.
Stating that this move will further push the cost of living to unreasonable levels, Mr Gandotra appealed the Government not to go for steep hike in power tariff as proposed. He also urged the Government to reduce vehicle Registration charges from 9 percent to 2- 4 percent so as to match with other States. An early decision on these three burning issues will give justice to the citizens of J&K, he added.
Sunil Dimple, president Jammu West Assembly Movement has also strongly opposed this PDD proposed massive tariff hike and alleged that after the abrogation of Article 370, the common man in J&K is burdened with heavy load of tariffs, taxes.
Dimple has urged the Govt not to increase the power tariffs in J&K as people are unable to pay such huge tariffs and there will be no option other than to adopt agitational path if the PDD goes ahead with its move.
Dimple also appealed the Governor to take up the matter with PM Narendra Modi for taking back Salal and Uri Power Projects, which are producing so much power that J&K can give free electricity to its people besides selling the power to other States.
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