Srinagar, Mar 3: Opposing Power Development Department’s move to hike the power tariff in Jammu and Kashmir, civil society and business houses of Kashmir valley today accused the department of trying to pass on its failures to the consumers. They alleged that the PDD was brushing off the guidelines and recommendations passed by the State Electricity Regulatory Commission (SERC) in the power sector.
The SERC, headed by SL Desalphine today called a meeting of the power department authorities, civil society members and business houses here to hear the petition filed by the authorities concerned seeking hike in power tariff.
The intended tariff hike move by the PDD was unanimously opposed by the opposite parties citing that flawed policies by the government and the PDD were responsible for mess in the power sector.
Chairperson Kashmir Center for Development and Studies, Prof Hameeda Nayeem said the PDD has time and again in the past disrespected the orders and recommendations passed by the SERC on tariff hike and other issues confronting power sector.
Former President, FCIK, Shakeel Qalander asked why should government burden the consumers with the losses suffered in the power sector.
He accused that PDD has failed to bring down the Transmission and Distribution losses. “Now it is passing on its failures to consumers. The department has failed to provide regular power supply to the consumers. In such a situation how can they hike the power tariff,” he said.
The T&D losses have mounted to 74 percent, Qalander said. “If the situation continues as such the whole system will collapse and it will be catastrophic,” he said. These losses, he said, are the highest in any state.
He said the SERC was set up with the aim to ensure development of the PDD. “But the T&D losses are highest this time. There is no betterment in power distribution and its import is increasing every year. Compared to other places the PDD has highest ratio of employees’ strength,” Qalander said.
Citing fresh recommendations by the SERC to the PDD to issue new power schedule, Hameeda said the department was yet to act on it.
FCIK chairman, Zahoor Ahmad Bhat pleaded before the SERC to reject the PDD petition. Quoting figures, Bhat countered the argument by the PDD seeking hike in tariff.
Former president KCCI, Dr Mubeen Shah said the Commission has on number of occasions in past called meeting to discuss like issues. But each time the consumers were left disappointed. “There is no justification for hiking tariff. However if PDD decides to go with the move, people will have no option but to come out on roads,” he warned.
Secretary, Kashmir Economic Alliance, Siraj Ahmad expressed strong resentment over the fresh increase in power tariff. “The authorities should understand the feelings of common man especially the business community rather than blaming them for power theft,” Ahmad said.
He expressed dismay over the inability of department to provide regular power supply to the consumers.
Development Commissioner Power, Manzoor Ahmad Salroo said they have only highlighted the problems faced by the department in its petition before the Commission.
“We have pleaded for the recommendation from the Commission to these problems,” Salroo said.
He said the PDD will always welcome the suggestion meant for the development of the sector.
“But the society has a role to come forward to help us bring improvement in the sector,” the DCP said.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 3 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 4 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST