KCCI sounds alarm as Kashmir grapples with unprecedented power crisis

Srinagar, Nov 3: Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCC&I) has raised alarm over unprecedented and erratic power supply occurring in Kashmir over the past several months which has been gravely affecting the industry, trade, business of all sorts and the households in general.

A statement issued by KCCI states that the Chamber expresses its deep concern and disappointment with the unreliable and contradictory policies of the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) being adopted to maintain regular power supply to the consumers.

"It is strange that the KPDCL while starting the process of installation of smart meters had committed to uninterrupted flawless electric supply to the consumers, which has not proved true on the ground as the power supply has been severely erratic for most of the time during the year."

"The KPDCL came out with a schedule for electric supply instead of ensuring the regular supply. However, astonishingly the KPCDL has miserably failed to stick to the announced schedule further compounding the miseries of all types of consumers. It appears the Department is continuously failing to meet the aspirations of the consumers and is not only hiding behind one or the other excuse but is resorting to false propaganda."

"Many weeks ago the KPDCL announced 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 statement reads.

"KCC&I would, therefore, request the Lieutenant Governor to intervene personally, 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 is worth mentioning that the Government spends crores on tourism promotion as a result of which we receive a large number of tourists thereby contributing to various sectors of the economy. The helpless tourists not only face a tough time but become bad publicity for our tourism due to the prevailing and worsening power crisis. KCCI expects KPDCL to show some responsibility towards the beleaguered population, to say the least," the statement said.