Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 31: Jammu and Kashmir’s projected cumulative liability on account of power purchase is expected to go up to about Rs 7000 crore by March 31 this year as against Rs 5037.49 crore as on March 31, 2015.
This was revealed in a meeting convened by Governor N N Vohra to review the issues relating to power section at Raj Bhavan today. The meeting was attended by B R Sharma, Chief Secretary, P K Tripathi, Principal Secretary to Governor, Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner, Power Development Department and Navin K Choudhary, Commissioner, Finance Department.
The Governor was informed that the peak deficit is about 22% of the peak demand of 2740 MW while energy deficit has come down to about 21% of 18560 million units. However, in the first nine months of 2015-16, the Power Development Department has been able to realise revenue of Rs 1294.36 crore only.
The projected cumulative liability on account of power purchased is expected to go up to about Rs 7000 crore by March 31 this year as against Rs 5037.49 crore on March 31, 2015. The Governor expressed serious concern over the huge gap in the cost of power purchased from various sources and the amount of power dues recovered from the consumers.
The Governor was informed that the State Government’s ‘in principle’ consent for participating in the Ujjwal DISCOM Assistance Yojna (UDAY), launched by the Union Ministry of Power, was conveyed on December 9, 2015. Under this scheme, the State Government is likely to be given a special dispensation to borrow Rs 2140 crore to clear some of the provisional liabilities ending September 2015. The State will also get additional / priority funding under various schemes of the Union Ministry of Power, subject to compliance of certain operational milestones.
Commissioner, PDD informed the Governor that after accounting for the permissible T&D losses, the extent of subsidy enjoyed by the various categories of consumers. The Governor directed that all the un-metered connections should be metered on a time bound basis to minimise power thefts and ensure proper billing of the power consumed.
The Governor also stressed promotion of energy conservation measures by undertaking energy audit and reduction of transmission and distribution losses alongside progressive improvement of sub-transmission and distribution infrastructure.
He was informed that a number of projects have been undertaken to augment the limited capacity of the transmission system to enable supply of additional power during peak load, especially during winters. These include two 630 MVA, 400/220 KV Grid substations at New Wanpoh in Kashmir and another at Samba. The Inter-state transmission system is also being strengthened by Jallandhar-Samba-Amargarh (Sopore) 400 KV Double Circuit Line along Mughal Road. With the implementation of the project, 400 KV State ring will become a reality and improve reliability of supply in both Jammu and Kashmir Regions. Further, 220 KV transmission line between Alusteng and Leh will provide grid connectivity to Ladakh Region at a cost of Rs 1788.41 crore.
It was stressed that the creation of separate, dedicated project wings for implementing various flagship schemes such as RAPDRP, IPDS, DDUJY RGGVY and PMRP and creation of two dedicated separate project wings should be expedited. It was also decided that Chenab Valley Power Management and Training Institute at Baglihar, for capacity building within PDD and for skill development of unemployed youth, shall be operationalised on priority basis.
The Governor also directed Secretary PDD to ensure proper maintenance of distribution system to ensure stable power supply keeping in view the present harsh weather conditions.
He also directed the Power Development Department to take all necessary steps to ensure timely implementation of various projects included under PM’s Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan 2015 in Mission mode.
Governor was informed that Rs 2000 crore have been provided for preparation of DPRs and commissioning of small hydro projects. He directed that Commissioner, PDD should urgently finalise an Action Plan for executing these projects. It was also informed that about Rs 4000 crore have been provided for augmentation of the distribution system in the State, including special assistance to capital cities and 4 Industrial Estates namely Khanmoh, Lassipora, Samba and Kathua.
Special Assistance has also been earmarked for tourist destinations, heritage sites and important places of pilgrimage at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Sonamarg, Patnitop, Katra and upgradation of power infrastructure and illumination of shrines and also for construction of 5 Smart Grids at Gulmarg, Pahalgam, Katra, Bari Brahmana, Rangret and Leh.
Governor was also informed that PM’s Package also includes provision of Rs 4153 for Pakal Dul Project, Rs 1400 crore for Intra-State Transmission system to be executed by JKPDD, Rs 714 crore Special Assistance for Augmentation of Infrastructure for Distribution system, Rs 250 crore for smart meters for 2,50,000 consumers in Phase-I at the rate of Rs 10,000 per meter, Rs 195 crore for PMRP (2004) T&D cost escalation and Rs 1115 crore for 220 KV, Srinagar-Leh Transmission line.
The Governor directed the Chief Secretary to urgently take necessary steps in a mission mode to ensure timely utilisation of Rs 11,358 crore which has been allocated for power generation, transmission, distribution and advanced technology intervention for smart grids and smart metering under the PM’s Reconstruction and Rehabilitation Plan 2015.
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