Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, June 9: Government has decided to go for a stringent performance audit in Power Development Department (PDD) ranks followed by strict administrative action against the deficient functionaries.
“The audit will be from the highest level and may invite punitive action to the extent of declaring lacking officers as deadwood”, Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh said here today at a high level meeting of the department.
Reviewing general power scenario and restoration of damages caused by recent windstorm, the Deputy Chief Minister expressed dismay over delayed response to the public complaints of power breakdown and lingering on the implementation of directions issued from time to time. He asked the functionaries to deliver or get ready to face the music.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Power Development Department, Dheeraj Gupta, Development Commissioner Power, Asgar Ali, Deputy Commissioner, Jammu Kumar Rajeev Ranjan, Chief Engineer M&RE, Jammu Ashwani Gupta, SEs and Executive Engineers of Jammu districts.
Taking review of different wings, Dr Nirmal Singh said the responsibility will be fixed from the highest level down to the line in terms of Transmission & Distribution losses, low revenue collection, power theft and breakdowns due to unchecked loads.
He specially stressed on quick response to complaints of breakdown, even as ordering stringent action for any lapse in the maintenance and monitoring of the system.
For proper system maintenance, the department will get the support from district and local administration to keep tab on functioning of each feeder line including snags, pilferage and legalisation of connections, the meeting decided.
Dr Nirmal Singh informed that the practice has already been introduced in Reasi during his recent tour to the district where one administrative officer has been asked to own each feeder line for effective monitoring of power supply.
The meeting also decided to create Whatsapp group in each district to receive public complaints and monitor the response to avoid public outcry over delay. The Whatsapp group would be monitored by the concerned Deputy Commissioners.
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