Power curtailment schedule under CM scanner

Srinagar, Oct 22: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday directed the Power Development Department (PDD) to strictly adhere to the announced power curtailment schedule, emphasising that he will personally oversee its implementation on a day-to-day basis during the winter months.

Chairing a comprehensive review meeting of the PDD, a department under his portfolio, to assess its preparedness ahead of the winter season in J&K, the CM said, “Once a curtailment schedule is announced, we must ensure it is followed rigorously, otherwise our credibility is at stake. We need to re-examine the schedule, considering the resources currently available to us and what we anticipate in the near future.”

He reiterated the importance of strict compliance with the schedule once it is finalised.

“I will personally monitor the situation on a daily basis, especially as winter sets in,” the CM said.

He also emphasised that the curtailment schedule must remain fair and equitable, without any influence from political or other external forces.

“There must be no interference from those with political or other forms of influence. The schedule should be transparent and fair for all,” the CM said.

To incentivise efficiency, he suggested that areas demonstrating better management of electricity usage should be rewarded.

“Reward those areas that are more efficient in managing curtailment. The schedule should be localised and reflect performance, particularly in areas where AT&C losses are lower,” the CM said.

Given the forecast of an early winter onset by the Meteorological Department, he instructed the PDD officials to expedite their preparations.

“We have indications of early snowfall this year, so our winter preparedness must reflect that possibility,” the CM said, urging that seasonal pruning be completed within the next three to four weeks.

During the meeting, Principal Secretary PDD Rajesh H Prasad provided a detailed presentation on the current power scenario in J&K.

The presentation covered a wide range of topics, including the existing power supply situation, energy requirements, and peak availability during the winter months.

Key areas of discussion included strategies to mitigate the winter power deficit, banking agreements for up to 500 MW of additional energy, and allocations from the central government.

The meeting also reviewed power purchase liabilities, loans raised, payments made, and ongoing efforts to improve revenue realisation through enhanced billing systems, e-governance, and IT interventions.

A significant focus was placed on reducing Aggregate, Technical, and Commercial (AT&C) losses, with the CM urging that all necessary steps be taken to minimise these losses.

The status of ongoing projects and system additions were also discussed in detail, with an emphasis on ensuring timely implementation before the onset of winter.

The meeting was attended by Advisor to Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, and Principal Secretary PDD Rajesh H Prasad.