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Power Cuts in Kashmir? PDD Blames Unpaid Bills
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Consumer Frustrations with Power Cuts
The Power Development Department (PDD) said that it was receiving timely bills of electricity from only 25-30 percent of consumers from the non-metered areas of Kashmir region.
Top officials of PDD, as per news agency KNO said, “out of the total amount of electricity bill generated monthly in the non-metered areas, KPDCL is receiving timely bills of only 25-30 percent of consumers.” The official said that non-payment of electricity bills was one of the reasons for power curtailments. “We have to pay to buy the power from other producers especially in winters.”
The official further said that even though the Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) loss in Jammu and Kashmir has reduced by nearly 10 percent, PDD was still topping the list in AT&C in India. “As of now only 32 percent of residential areas have meters and 68 percent are almost on flat rates in KPDCL areas. There is no check and balance on those consumers residing in non-metered areas. Wherever we have not installed meters yet, billing is done on load basis,” the official said.
He further said, “In the non-metered areas, we are charging bills of a maximum use of one Kilowatt while we have observed that thousands of consumers are consuming nearly five Kilowatts. That is one of the main reasons the government is losing a huge amount of money because there are no meters.” “Problem is with the residential consumers and especially in the Kashmir region. Feeder wise losses are very high. In some feeders losses are as high as 70-80 percent,” he said adding that in KPDCL areas, many small scale shopkeepers were using the residential connection for the commercial purposes.
The official added, “All the hue and cry happening in the Kashmir region is because we started calibrating the load on the inputs of energy being consumed by the consumers.” Power Connection Mandated For Under-construction Buildings
Meanwhile Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has advised the owners of under-construction commercial and residential buildings to immediately apply for temporary connection (TC) in the concerned Electric Subdivision offices for running operations that require electricity. The owners can apply for TC, after following due procedure as enshrined in the Supply Code and avail TC facility easily.
In a press statement issued on Friday, a KPDCL spokesperson informed the owners that electricity connection for under-construction commercial and residential buildings is mandatory and not applying for connection and using electricity unauthorisedly shall invite punitive action under the Electricity Act. He further stated that directions have been issued to all Executive Engineers of KPDCL to inspect and frame a list of under-construction buildings with status of power connections.
Giving details, the KPDCL spokesperson said those owners who apply for a new electricity connection for their under- construction buildings falling in commercial or residential category, get a temporary line along with a meter at a specified rate which will be converted into a permanent one at notified tariff when the construction activity is completed.
The spokesperson warned that KPDCL shall initiate stringent action against owners of under-construction buildings who fail to apply for TC and are caught using electricity illegally.
Consumer Frustrations with Power Cuts: A Call for Accountability and Transparency from the PDD
The recent news report from the Power Development Department (PDD) blames consumers, particularly in non-metered areas, for frequent power cuts in Kashmir. As a resident of Kashmir, this stance feels frustrating and unfair. Here’s why:
Unreliable Power Supply We experience frequent power cuts, which make daily life challenging. Despite this, the PDD claims non-payment is the reason. This assertion raises questions about the reliability and management of our power supply.
Fat Bills Without Usage Even during outages, we receive inflated bills. The PDD suspects high consumption in non-metered areas but has not prioritized installing meters to ensure accurate billing. This lack of action results in unfair charges for electricity we didn’t use.
Inconsistent Disconnections The PDD disconnects power for those who fall behind on payments. However, they don’t take the same action against high consumers in non-metered areas. This inconsistency raises questions about the fairness and transparency of the PDD’s operations.
The Need for a Transparent and Reliable Electricity System
As consumers, we feel caught between a rock and a hard place. We deserve a transparent and reliable electricity system, not excuses and hefty bills for limited service. The PDD needs to focus on the following areas to address our concerns:
- Meter Installation
- Action: Expedite meter installation in non-metered areas.
- Benefit: Ensure fair and accurate billing based on actual usage.
- Infrastructure Improvement
- Action: Invest in better infrastructure to reduce power losses.
- Benefit: Enhance reliability and reduce outages.
- Action: Take stricter action against illegal connections.
- Benefit: Ensure equitable distribution of electricity and reduce unauthorized consumption.
- Transparency in Billing
- Action: Provide clear explanations for electricity charges.
- Benefit: Avoid confusion and frustration among consumers.
- Action: Implement regular audits and public reports on power distribution and consumption.
- Benefit: Build trust and accountability in the system.
Bottom-Line Kashmiris deserve better. We urge the PDD to address these issues and ensure a reliable and affordable power supply for all. Transparency, fairness, and infrastructure improvements are crucial to resolving the current frustrations and building a trustworthy power distribution system. By focusing on these areas, the PDD can improve service quality, build consumer trust, and create a more efficient and equitable power distribution system in Kashmir.
