Jammu, June 8: The Jammu and Kashmir administration has started the process of privatization of electricity distribution and allied works in the Union Territory (UT).
After the central government decided to privatize electricity distribution companies in all UTs, the power department and private consultants have started house-to-house surveys to collect details of lakhs of consumers.
Each locality and home is also being geo-tagged for easy identification.
Power connection holders have been directed to report defunct and damaged power meters within 15 days and if they fail to install new meters within the specified timeframe, a fine will be imposed on them.
“Any decision to bring private companies has to be taken by the government. We are updating our database. There are specific instructions to replace power meters with new smart meters.” said Gurmeet Singh, Chief Engineer, J&K Power Transmission Corporation Ltd-Jammu.
After Parliament passed J&K Re-organisation Act-2019 on August 5, 2019, abolishing Article 370 and dividing Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh into two UTs, the unbundling of Power Development Department (PDD) was among the first steps taken by the central government.
However, employees of Power Transmission Corporation, trade bodies and consumers are opposing the move and say people will be hit hard by the decision as power tariffs are likely to increase.
“Decision will hit consumers and traders hard as private players will increase tariff as per other UTs. J&K is a poor state, the consumer will not be able to afford the increased tariff. About 30,000 engineers, daily wagers of the department will also get affected,” said Sachin Tikku, convener Forum of Engineer.
