Srinagar: Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir government are contemplating privatization of power distribution in the state. Power Development Department had called all the registered unions of Power Development Department in Janipora Jammu to discuss the subject with them, however, the Union leaders decided to boycott the meeting as according to them the department failed to provide them a blue-print of the scheme.
Reports said that Development Commissioner Power, Asghar Ali Majaz and other officials had called Jammu and Kashmir Electrical Employees Union (JKEEU) leaders to Janipora Jammu to discuss the subject of power privatization with them. We decided to boycott the meeting as the department did not accede to our demands. We had sought a blue-print from the department and had asked the officials to inform us about the role and job of PDD employees if power sector gets privatized, president JKEEU, Abdul Salam Rajpori told CNS adding that the department has called them again on Saturday but they have collectively taken a decision to boycott the meeting.
He said that JKEEU had also asked the PDD to cite an example of any state where privatization model had been successful. So far the PDD has neither provided us blue-print nor has provided us the data about the state where privatization scheme had been successful, Rajpori said adding that some officials are keen to privatize the power sector in Jammu and Kashmir as they have their own interests at stake.
When contacted a top official of PDD said that a mechanism is required to be put in place to reform the system” and save state exchequer from losing money due to power losses, which amounts to Rs 2,200 crore annually. The idea of privatization was propounded by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who had asked us to study models of privatisation of power distribution and come out with a concrete proposal, he said adding that
Privatisation of power distribution system is gaining popularity across the country and has worked successfully in states like Delhi. (CNS)
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