Srinagar, July 4: Power shortage in Jammu and Kashmir dominated discourse at the state cabinet meeting here on Wednesday, with ministers seeking direct intervention of the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in improving the power supply scenario.
Informed sources told Greater Kashmir that the issue of frequent unscheduled power cuts in the state for the past two months was raised by the ministers in the meeting held here under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
According to them, the ministers urged Omar, who is also the power minister, to directly monitor the situation of power supply in the state.  “The CM assured that he will monitor the situation of power supply personally,” they said.
Local news agency, KNS said Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control apprised the state cabinet about his discussions with the central Power Ministry on the issue of return of power projects run by the NHPC to the state government.
“I briefed the cabinet about the discussion I held within different people in Delhi”, Taj Mohiuddin said.
Meanwhile the cabinet approved construction of new Polytechnics after inviting offers through the process of e-tendering.
An official spokesman said the Polytechnics in Anantnag (Islamabad), Baramulla, Budgam, Kulgam, Shopian, Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Poonch and Udhampur will be constructed by Public Works Department while as polytechnics in Kathua, Samba, Reasi, Budgam, Bandipora and Kupwara will be constructed by the JKPCC.
The cabinet also gave its nod to the transfer of following officers. Abdul Majeed Mir, Additional Commissioner, Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Custodian General J&K. Abdul Lateef Deva, Custodian General J&K has been transferred and posted as Settlement Commissioner J&K. Sheetal Nanda awaiting orders of posting has been posted as Additional Secretary, PDD. Dilshada Khan awaiting orders of posting has been posted as Director Panchayati Raj against a newly created post. Muhammad Saleem Sheshgarh, Additional Registrar Kashmir has been transferred and posted as Director Horticulture, Kashmir. Besides the confirmation of Navdeep Gupta in-charge Chief Engineer Planning and Design, Jammu w.e.f 27-4-2011, the Cabinet also approved placement of In-charge Superintendent Engineers, Malik Mansoor Willayat and Prithpal Singh as In-charge Chief Engineers.
“It also approved promotion of Sham Vinod Meena in the senior time scale of 15000-39100 w.e.f 1.1.2012,” the spokesman said.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 Jul 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 4 Jul 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 5 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST