Jammu, Apr 28: National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) will now be bound to supply electricity to villages within 5 km periphery of generation plants across the state of Jammu and Kashmir.
 The decision was announced during Power Ministers’ Conference convened by the Union Ministry of Power in New Delhi on Wednesday. The Conference chaired by Union Power Minister, Sushil Kumar Shinde was attended by Minister of State for Power, Bharatsingh Solanki and Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, Montek Singh Ahluwalia, while J&K Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmed Khan represented Jammu and Kashmir.
 Well informed sources told Greater Kashmir that the union power ministry has issued directions to the NHPC that it shall supply power to villages within 5 kilometers of radius of the generation plants. The power will be directly supplied by the NHPC on nominal charges to the villagers, sources said, adding the new arrangement is expected to reduce the power load of the state government besides adding to the already agreed share of 12 per cent to the state government. “Under this scheme the consumer falling under BPL are also likely to get free power supply in those areas,” sources added.
 Commenting on the financial health of distribution utilities, both the Deputy Chairman Planning Commission and the Union Power Minister stressed the need to take a hard look at this crucial aspect. Sources said that the state was also urged to maintain grid discipline and restrain from overdrawing from the grid when frequencies are low.
 Sources said that the state once again reiterated the demand for increase in the royalty on the power projects under central sector operating in the state from 12 to 25 percent. “The union power minister has assured that the matter would be deliberated upon.”
 The union power minister was also urged to take into consideration the demand of the state government to transfer the Dul Hasti Power Project to the state government.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 28 Apr 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 29 Apr 2010 00:00:00 IST