*Governor, CS congratulate officers
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 26: The Jammu and Kashmir today bagged ‘Saubhagya Excellence Award’ for being the first State in the country to achieve 100% household electrification.
The award for achieving cent percent household electrification was presented by Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, R. K. Singh to K. K. Sharma, Advisor to Governor and Hirdesh Kumar, Commissioner Secretary Power Development Department and his team on behalf of the J&K State during the ‘Power Ministers’ Conference’ being held in New Delhi.
The award of highest order amounting to Rs 100 crore was given as a grant to J&K State to be spent in distribution infrastructure development. In addition, a cash prize of Rs 50 lakh was also given for distribution amongst the employees of JKPDD, who have contributed exceptionally towards the implementation of the scheme.
It was said that the herculean task could only be accomplished due to the firm determination, correct strategy planning and continuous efforts of the Department, which made electricity reach even the farthest and remotest households in the State.
The milestone was achieved amidst countless challenges owing to tough terrain, snowbound topography, scattered households, close proximity to the international border, limited working season and many more.
The Nodal team of JKPDD informed that various technical innovations were devised like setting benchmarks by electrification of difficult villages first, partnering with knowledge stakeholders like IIT Chennai to electrify the villages on higher reaches, where solar panels were transported through choppers of Indian Air Force, formulation of PERT charts, sharing and uploading pictures of works being executed in tough terrains on real time basis to give push and competition amongst the work force.
The JKPDD teams established close synergy with other Departments, Gram Sewaks, Revenue functionaries, public representatives, who all worked jointly to achieve the goal.
Besides, Mobile Apps like Gram Jyoti Doot/ UrjaVistaar were also devised by the Department for fast track release of electricity connections.
Even after achieving 100% electrification, the Department continued its drive to implement complete efficacy by launching special electrification vehicles ‘SaubhagyaRath’ in all 22 districts of the State to rule out the possibility of any household remaining un-electrified.
Meahwhile, Governor Satya Pal Malik has congratulated the State’s Power Development Department for becoming first in the country to achieve 100% households electrification.
Governor has urged the Department to work devotedly towards improving the Power infrastructure in the State and be foremost in bringing reforms in this sector for the overall betterment of the State.
Chief Secretary B V R Subramanyam has also congratulated the JKPDD for achieving the huge feat and making the Jammu and Kashmir first in the country to achieve the 100 percent household electrification.
He said it was due to sustained and rigorous efforts of Governor’s administration and JKPDD that amid myriad of challenges the difficult task was achieved even before the stipulated time.
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