Srinagar, May 10: In a move aimed at privatization of the state’s power distribution system, Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday ordered establishment of State Transmission Utility (STU).
The new utility shall comprise two Systems and Operation Wings with one each functioning from Kashmir and Jammu provinces.
“With a view to improving quality of services to consumers and increasing accountability at all levels within the PDD, J&K Government, after creation of JKSPDC, has taken first step to un-bundle the Power Development Department (PDD),” an official handout issued this evening said.
According to the officials, STU shall have additional 429 positions and will also avail apportioned services and facilities commonly held earlier by PDD’s Distribution and Transmission wings. STU will get corporatized in due course of time and would be able to expand itself in terms of organization and resources as per requirement. The new ‘Transmission Utility’ will have the flexibility of filing its own APR’s on self sustained basis and would be accountable for its quality services to Distribution Utility and other stakeholders, the handout said.
In effect, this new organizational structure would enable the utility to avail funding from various institutions without being overly dependent on State Budget. As first step ‘State Utility’ has been mandated to connect 50 grid stations with optic fiber connectivity. It will be done at an estimated cost of around Rs 63 crore. It would connect all high voltage sub-stations of the state as also spare same capacity which can be hired out or leased by State Transmission Utility for income generation. State Transmission Utility has also been directed to work out perspective plan for transmission requirements of the State availing services of any experienced consultant. It has also been directed to establish Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition System (SCADAS) to monitor and control all the stations even remotely.
The new organization will be headed by the Engineer-in Chief, with the rank equivalent to that of Development Commissioner Power.

Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 May 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Thu, 10 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT
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