SRINAGAR, July 25: Facing stark criticism from people over curtailment of power notwithstanding the holy month of Ramadhan, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday directed his officers to purchase extra power to alleviate the sufferings of the people at least for two months.
Abdullah said the measures were announced in view of an “extraordinary” situation arising out of delayed rains and thus less availability of power in the grid.
“Chief Minister, in order to narrow the demand and supply gap in the power in the next two months, directed the Finance Department to release an additional amount of Rs. 200 crores to procure extra power to reduce the gap and mitigate the sufferings of the people,” an official spokesperson said.
Abdullah has also sanctioned Rs. 12 crores to enable the Power Development Department (PDD) to carry out speedy repair of damaged transformers and other system improvement requirements.
Meanwhile the PDD has been directed to set up 24×7 control rooms in both the capitals Srinagar and Jammu that will be be managed by officers of the rank of Executive Engineers to hear the grievances of the people “for early redressal”.
Abdullah also directed that fresh schedule of power supply be announced and the same be adhered to in letter and spirit.
‘Fresh Schedule’
The Chief Engineer has issued fresh schedules of the power curtailment programme in the valley.
“As per the new schedule there will be a power cut once in a week from 7 pm to 11pm in the unmetered areas. Previously the cut was thrice a week. During the Sehri (before dawn) timing and restricted the power curtailment for three hours from 3 am to 6 am only once in a week, earlier the restrictions were 10 pm to 5 am twice a week,” the spokesperson said.
The PDD has asked people to make judicious use of electricity, especially during the Sehri and Iftaar timings and to restrict their heating load like heaters, boilers and geysers to ensure availability of power during peak hours.
