Aishmuqam, Mar 6: The inhabitants of Aishmuqam in Islamabad (Anantnag) are up in arms against the Power Development Department for resorting to unscheduled power cuts in the area.
 “The people are facing immense hardships due to erratic power supply and the PDD is failing to provide electricity according to the prescribed schedule,” the residents said. 
 While Power Development Department attributes the erratic power supply to the Gopalpora Grid station, the residents blame the department for the crisis.
 The unscheduled power cuts have not only been reported from the non-metered areas, but the metered areas too are facing frequent power cuts especially during the peak hours.
 Besides Aishmuqam, Mattan and Seer areas, scores of adjoining villages including Latroo, Siligam, Akad, Bumzou etc are facing electricity shortage.
 “Our area is reeling under darkness majority of the times though we pay Rs 375 tariff every month,” said Aijaz Ahmad, a shopkeeper at Aishmuqam.
 The residents of non-metered areas are facing the worst frequent power cuts besides the regular power curtailment of some 17-hours a day. The residents of these non-metered areas told Greater Kashmir that unscheduled power cuts has turned their life hell. “Our area faces 17 hours power cut everyday. The unscheduled cuts have badly affected our business and the studies of our wards who find it difficult to concentrate in the absence of electricity,” said Mukta Begum of Latroo, Aishmuqam.
 The residents of Islamabad (Anantnag) and Mattan townships also allege that despite the areas being fully metered, there is no improvement in the electricity supply. “Some years back when the government installed meters in the town, they assured us of constant power supply. But unfortunately they are unable to provide electricity even for six hours a day,” complained the residents.
 Despite increase in power tariff there is no visible improvement in the power scenario.
 The villages adjoining Aishmuqam including Siligam, Akad, Bumzou and Seer are the worst hit. The villagers say that most of the time the areas remain without power supply for days together. “Entire village is registered and each consumer pays regular tariff. Still we receive less electricity. PDD authorities are forcing us to take to streets,” said Shafiq Ahmad of Latroo.
 In Latroo, the residents are furious about the erratic power supply in their village. “We usually get electricity once a week and that too with very low voltage. Our ministers and bureaucrats live in superior colonies where they get special power supply. How can they understand our problem of living in darkness,” they said.
 When contacted the officials at the Aishmuqam grid station blamed the employees of Gopalpora station for resorting to unscheduled cuts.

Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Mar 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Tue, 6 Mar 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Wed, 7 Mar 2012 00:00:00 IST