Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 9: The State Government has decided to go for short term power purchase by adopting the process of un-requisitioned supply to overcome the problem of power shortage in some areas of the State.
This was stated by Minister of State for Power, Rural Development and Information, Vikar Rasool, while addressing a press conference here today.
He said that power supply has been affected due to low generation, which is of the order of 250 MWs in comparative terms and also because of fall in water discharge. He said with rise in temperature the situation was likely to improve in next few days as it would trigger water discharge and facilitate better generation at the major power supply stations including Dulhasti, Salal, Baglihar, HEP, Naptha Jakhri, Khailgao and Dardi.
The Minister asked public to cooperate with the department by avoiding wasteful use of power. He said Government would ensure that all its offices and commercial establishments use florescent lamps instead of incandescent to contribute in power conservation.
Giving a resume of the achievements of Coalition Government in respect of power supply, the Minister said that there has been almost 33% increase in the power supply in the State in terms of energy and more than 60% increase in power purchase alone . He said that PDD added 1.25 lakh new consumers during last fiscal while regularising nearly 500 MWs of load.
He said the State Government has spent Rs 4,000 crore for the procurement of power and it was making every effort to meet the 35 % deficit in terms of energy and power.
Mr Vikar said that due to very high AT&C losses coupled with cheapest tariff at the State level, the department was forced to purchase more power to meet un-restricted demand of people.
Giving details about fall in power generation, the Minister said that it came down by 35 MWs in Dulhasti, 45 MWs in Salal, 10 MWs in Nathpajhakri Sjvnl, 43 MWs in Khalgoan, 26 MWs in Dadri and 100 MWs in BHEP as against total variation of 259 MWs last year.
Principal Secretary PDD, Arun Kumar Metha, Chief Engineer Power Development Department Kashmir, Muzaffar Ahmed, Development Commissioner Power M.A Salroo and Chief Engineer M&RE Shehnaz Goni were also present on the occasion.