SRINAGAR: Expressing serious concern over the precarious power situation in rural areas of the state, CPI (M) State Secretary Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami has said it seems the administration is hell-bent upon to keep the people of Jammu and Kashmir into darkness.
In a statement issued here today, the CPI (M) leader has said that people living in rural and far flung areas are without electricity and the recent snowfall has aggravated the crisis. Even areas receiving erratic power supply are for the most of the time facing numerous problems on account of low voltage and the people are compelled to arrange alternative sources of illumination during the hours, they receive electricity.
Power Development Department (PDD) has failed to create a buffer stock of electricity transformers at Divisional level to address the situation surfaced due to damaged transformers. The step-down transformers, installed in every neighborhood develop technical snags and the consumers are left helpless in darkness and freezing cold till the process of lifting, repairing and re-installing a faulty transformer is completed in weeks together. Even the people in many parts of Kashmir valley have complained that they are compelled to collect money for repair of their damaged transformers as the department concerned fails to repair and install their transformers in time.
He blamed the faulty polices of PDD for the damages of electricity transformers. The department has never bothered to install electricity transformers proportionate to the growing population which could have prevented the damages to a large extent. And unfortunately where ever these transformers are required, the administration is creating hurdles in installation, despite the feasibility reports dashed by the department and money earmarked by the concerned legislator.
Referring to media reports, the CPI (M) leader said that there are more than 400 damaged electric transformers lying in various workshops for repairs in Kashmir valley. According to these reports, Tarigami said throughout the valley, more than 150 villages are without power since the recent snowfall on January 17. He lamented the slow pace of repair work of the damaged transformers at departmental workshops saying in order to meet out the crisis the administration should create more such workshops and enhance its buffer stock.
Follow this link to join our WhatsApp group: Join Now
Be Part of Quality Journalism |
Quality journalism takes a lot of time, money and hard work to produce and despite all the hardships we still do it. Our reporters and editors are working overtime in Kashmir and beyond to cover what you care about, break big stories, and expose injustices that can change lives. Today more people are reading Kashmir Observer than ever, but only a handful are paying while advertising revenues are falling fast. |
| ACT NOW |
| MONTHLY | Rs 100 |  |
| YEARLY | Rs 1000 | |
| LIFETIME | Rs 10000 | |
