Sagar Reviews Power Sector, Directs Comprehensive Winter Preparedness, Timely Project Execution and Improved Consumer Services
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 30: Minister for Revenue, Power Development, Law, Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction, and Elections, Ali Mohammad Sagar, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Power Development Department (PDD) at the Civil Secretariat to assess its overall functioning, review the progress of key infrastructure projects and evaluate preparedness for the forthcoming winter season.
Emphasising the government's commitment to delivering quality public services, Sagar said that ensuring reliable, affordable and uninterrupted electricity supply, particularly during the challenging winter months, must remain a top priority of the department. He stressed that all departmental initiatives should translate into tangible improvements in public service delivery and consumer satisfaction.
The meeting was attended by Managing Directors of various power corporations, Director Finance, Power Development Department, Special Secretary to Government (S/P), Director Planning, Additional Secretaries (A/Z and Legal), Chief Engineers, Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers of KPDCL, JPDCL, JKPTCL, JKPCL and JKPDCL, besides the Chief Electrical Inspector and other senior officers. Officers stationed in Jammu participated through virtual mode.
During the meeting, the Minister reviewed the overall functioning of the department, progress of ongoing developmental works, power generation and procurement arrangements, transmission and distribution infrastructure, financial performance and operational challenges. The officers also briefed him on future requirements and measures being undertaken to strengthen the power sector across Jammu and Kashmir.
Focus on Winter Preparedness
Reviewing the department's preparedness for winter, Sagar directed the officers to ensure comprehensive advance arrangements for maintaining reliable electricity supply, particularly in snow-bound, hilly, far-flung and remote areas.
He stressed the need to maintain adequate stocks of transformers, cables, conductors and other essential equipment at strategically identified locations to facilitate immediate restoration of power supply in the event of breakdowns or emergencies.
The Minister also called for regular inspection of vulnerable infrastructure, identification of potential bottlenecks and deployment of sufficient technical manpower and machinery. He directed the concerned officers to strengthen field-level response mechanisms and ensure close coordination among different wings for prompt restoration of electricity during adverse weather conditions.
He further emphasised that uninterrupted power supply to essential services, including hospitals, healthcare centres, drinking water installations, educational institutions and other critical public utilities, must receive priority, particularly during heavy snowfall and inclement weather.
Additional Power Procurement, RDSS and Smart Metering
Taking stock of the overall power availability and demand-supply position, Sagar discussed the requirement for additional power procurement, including the proposed procurement of approximately 200 MW from Uttar Pradesh through power exchange arrangements to bridge the demand-supply gap.
He underscored the importance of advance demand assessment and timely procurement planning to ensure adequate electricity availability, particularly during peak winter demand.
Reviewing the progress under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the Minister directed the officers to expedite works aimed at strengthening the distribution network, replacing overloaded transformers and equipment, improving feeder infrastructure and reducing technical and commercial losses.
He also reviewed the status of smart meter installation across Jammu and Kashmir, observing that technological interventions must promote transparency, accurate billing, accountability and improved consumer services. He called for addressing public concerns through effective communication, awareness and responsive grievance redressal mechanisms.
The status of the electricity amnesty scheme was also reviewed. Sagar stressed that its benefits must reach all eligible consumers through simplified procedures, effective public outreach and timely disposal of cases.
Strengthening Power Infrastructure and Financial Management
The Minister reviewed the existing power generation capacity, availability of electricity and possibilities of optimising available resources. He stressed the need to explore feasible avenues for enhancing generation, improving operational efficiency and ensuring better utilisation of existing resources.
He also took stock of transmission lines, grid stations, capacity enhancement and maintenance works, directing the officers to identify infrastructure gaps, remove bottlenecks and expedite necessary interventions to strengthen the transmission network.
Emphasising the financial and operational sustainability of the power sector, Sagar reviewed billing efficiency, revenue collection and measures for reducing Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses.
He maintained that improved revenue realisation and financial discipline must go hand in hand with better consumer services, transparency and accountability. He called for strengthening institutional mechanisms to ensure accurate metering, timely billing and efficient revenue collection while safeguarding the interests of genuine consumers.
Consumer Grievances to Be Addressed Promptly
Calling for a consumer-friendly approach, the Minister directed the officers to ensure prompt redressal of complaints concerning unscheduled power cuts, faulty transformers, damaged distribution lines, low voltage and delays in restoration of electricity.
He stressed that scheduled shutdowns must be communicated to consumers well in advance to enable them to plan their activities accordingly. He also called for strengthening complaint-monitoring mechanisms and ensuring that officers remain accessible and responsive to public grievances, particularly during winter.
PDL and CLW Workers' Issues Reviewed
The long-pending issues concerning PDL and CLW workers associated with the Power Development Department also figured prominently during the meeting.
Sagar emphasised the need to evolve a fair, transparent and time-bound mechanism for examining their cases, observing that their experience, services and contribution to maintaining essential power infrastructure deserved due consideration.
He directed the concerned authorities to examine their cases in accordance with applicable government policies, rules and eligibility conditions and formulate an appropriate roadmap for their job security, rehabilitation and regularisation, wherever permissible under the rules.
The Minister observed that these workers had rendered significant services, often under difficult field conditions, and stressed that their long-pending concerns must be addressed with sensitivity and seriousness to arrive at a dignified and sustainable solution.
Timely Completion of Projects Stressed
Reviewing major power projects under execution and those in the pipeline, Sagar directed the officers to ensure their timely completion by closely monitoring progress, strengthening inter-departmental coordination and removing administrative, technical and execution-related bottlenecks.
He observed that investments in the power sector must translate into enhanced generation capacity, improved transmission and distribution infrastructure, greater energy security and sustainable long-term benefits for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
The officers were asked to conduct regular progress reviews, adhere to prescribed timelines and ensure optimum utilisation of available resources without compromising the quality of execution.
Coordination with Elected Representatives
Highlighting the importance of grassroots-level coordination, the Minister directed field officers to maintain regular and meaningful interaction with MLAs, elected public representatives and village heads, irrespective of their political affiliations.
He said that elected representatives were important stakeholders in the governance process and that their feedback and suggestions must receive due consideration while identifying infrastructure gaps, addressing area-specific issues and resolving public grievances.
He stressed that effective coordination at the grassroots level would enable the department to better understand local requirements and ensure timely resolution of electricity-related problems.
Renewable Energy and Accountability
The Minister also called for exploring innovative and sustainable approaches to energy conservation, promotion of renewable energy, adoption of solar power, feeder-level monitoring and efficient utilisation of available resources.
He stressed the need to enhance public awareness about responsible electricity consumption and energy conservation, observing that sustainable energy practices would contribute towards strengthening the power sector in the long run.
Calling for a proactive, accountable and result-oriented administrative approach, Sagar directed senior officers to regularly monitor the performance of their respective wings and ensure effective implementation of decisions and directions at the field level.
Reiterating the government's commitment to providing quality public services, he said that electricity was an essential public service and its benefits must reach every household, irrespective of geographical location or economic background.
He emphasised that special attention must be given to remote, hilly, snow-bound and underserved areas to ensure that residents do not face avoidable hardships due to inadequate infrastructure or delayed restoration of electricity.
The Minister further observed that departmental performance should not be measured merely by the number of projects completed or expenditure incurred, but by the actual improvement in the reliability, accessibility, transparency and quality of electricity services experienced by consumers.
Reiterating his commitment to strengthening the power sector, Sagar said that making the department more efficient, transparent, accountable and people-friendly, while ensuring reliable electricity supply, timely completion of infrastructure projects and responsive consumer services, would remain a key priority.
He called upon all officers and field functionaries to discharge their responsibilities with dedication, commitment and a strong sense of public service to meet the expectations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir. ANB
