Srinagar- Dismissing the criticism over the frequent power-cuts, the divisional administration Kashmir on Friday said that availability of power is linked to public support for electricity bill payment and metering and the feeders of better response areas will get more power.
This was stated by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Pandurang K Pole while chairing a meeting regarding winter preparedness of Power Department, an official spokesperson said Friday.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioners of Kashmir Division, MD KPDCL, Chief Engineers of KPDCL & KPTCL, Superintending Engineers and Executive Engineers.
While reviewing the strategy and plan chalked out by the Power Department in Kashmir, the spokesperson said that the Div Com exhorted officers to meticulously manage demand of electricity as the supply will not get enhanced.
Pole, he said, also stated that there shall be a 25% increase in demand of electricity during winters so it is imperative to take requisite measures to ensure availability of electricity.
“Also, he directed for implementing the power Amnesty scheme strictly to achieve the set target within the shortest span of time. He stressed on seizure of crude electric appliances from markets and action against theft of power,” the spokesperson said.
Pole, he said, underlined the involvement of the community in stopping misuse of electricity and discouraging use of crude gadgets like heaters.
The Div Com, the spokesperson said, directed concerned officers to ensure a sufficient quantity of buffer stock of transformers, wires, poles and oil at workshops.
Besides, Pole, he said, exhorted for augmentation and improvement of workshops, hiring of cranes and vehicles for transportation of damaged and repairs of DTs.
Regarding the complaints projected on social media about power cuts, the spokesperson said that Div Com advised DCs and Power Department to constitute media teams to present factual status of situation through social media so that no one spreads misinformation by unfounded claims on the SM platform.
“He asked for publication of power schedule, conducting IEC campaign publication of a checklist for field staff to avoid tragedy during maintenance works and completion of 100% branch cutting,” he added.