KCCI concerned over erratic power supply in Kashmir, seeks LG's intervention

Srinagar, Nov 4: The Apex trade body of Kashmir, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCC&I) on Friday expressed disappointment over the erratic power supply in Kahsmir and sought personal intervention of Lieutenant Governor (LG) J&K Manoj Sinha.
The trade body in a statement said that it has been closely monitoring and assessing the unprecedented erratic power supply in the Kashmir Valley over the past several months, which has significantly affected various industries, trade, and households.

KCC expressed concern and disappointment regarding the 'unreliable' and 'contradictory' policies being adopted by the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) for maintaining regular power supply to consumers.

"It is strange that the department, while initiating the installation of smart meters, had promised uninterrupted and flawless electric supply to consumers. However, this promise has not been fulfilled in practice, as power supply has been severely erratic for most of the year. The KPDCL came out with a schedule for electric supply instead of making sure the regular supply," statement reads.

"However, astonishingly the KPCDL has miserably failed to stick to the announced schedule also further compounding the miseries of the all type of consumers. It appears the Department is continuously failing in meeting the aspiration of the consumers and is not only hiding behind one or the other excuse but is resorting to a false propaganda," it added.

KCCI also reminded the KPDCL of their announcement some weeks ago that it had procured power from Uttar Pradesh and was in negotiations for purchasing more from central Grid to ease out of the situation created by the Power shortage.

" Nothing has happened since then and the Department came out even with a power curtailment before the onset of winter when the power demand is lesser than that of harsh winter months. The KCC&I would, therefore, request the Lt. Governor to personally intervene , direct concerned officials to take measures in ensuring the power supply to the consumers and alleviate the miseries of the consumers particularly the Industries, Tourism Sector, Industrial Estates, CA stores, shopkeepers and Traders, Senior Citizen, Sick, students, Health, Education on account of non- availability of regular power Supply through the punishing cold winters, it said. (Sic)

KCCI also said that on one hand Government is spending crores of rupees on tourism promotion and on other side "the helpless tourists not only face a tough time but become a bad publicity for our tourism due to the prevailing and worsening power crisis."

KCCI expects KPDCL shows some responsibility towards the beleaguered population, to say the least, it added.