Srinagar, May 12: The Power Development Department has fixed a revenue target of Rs 650 crore for Kashmir Division this fiscal.
 Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather today while expressing his grave concern over the “huge gap between the energy supplied and revenue realization” called for bringing major reforms at various levels in the Power Department.
 He urged for coordinated efforts to check power thefts and pilferages optimally adding that revenue realization should be commensurate to energy supplied.
 He said officers and engineers of the department would be made more accountable and revenue realization on account of power supply would be the benchmark for monitoring their performance.
 Rather also called for vigorous recovery drive of power bill arrears against the defaulting government departments underscoring the need for accomplishing 100 per cent coverage of power supply by electronic meters.
 He said it was necessary for accounting energy and bridging the gap between power supply and revenue realization.
 He urged for a massive awareness campaign among the masses to check power thefts and directed for a sustained inspection drive against the unscrupulous power consumers.
 With a view to safeguarding the State’s revenue interests and to ensure judicious use of electricity, the government as a policy matter decided that no new power connection will be permitted unless it is electronically metered.
 Meanwhile, over 42000 electronic meters are being installed by the end of the current month, raising the total number of metered consumers to 2.68 in Kashmir Division.
 Decision to this effect was taken at a high level meeting held here this afternoon to take stock of the latest status of revenue realization on account of electricity supply in Kashmir Division, an official statement said.
 Rather presided the meeting.
 It was also decided that the tampered meters if found anywhere would be replaced at consumers’ cost along with the penalty.
 The concerned accounts branch will immediately instruct for disconnection of the power supply to the consumers who have been served the power tariff Bill but not paid timely.
 The meeting also decided that computerization of 21 electric sub-divisions, of Kashmir Division would be completed by July this year. 
 The meeting was informed that about 1.70 lakh more electronic meters shall be procured within a month which would be installed in the uncovered areas.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 May 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 12 May 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 IST