SRINAGAR- The Federation of Chambers of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) has strongly contested the proposal filed by Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) with Joint Electricity Commission for UT of J&K and UT of Ladakh (JERC) seeking approval for subsuming of 15% of electricity duty in the tariff of consumers of all categories.
A session of public hearing was held by JERC on Saturday in Srinagar for obtaining views and listening to the objections from various consumers and organisations against various proposals submitted by KPDCL for approval of the Commission. The hearing session was presided over by Hon’ble Chairman of the Commission Sh. Lokesh D. Jha, with other two members of the Commission Er. Ajay Gupta and Mohammad Rafi Andrabi besides Secretary V.K Dhar in attendance. Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) authorities including Managing Director Baseer ul Haq Chowdhary, Chief Engineer Javid Dar, SEs, Exens, consultants and others were present on the occasion who made presentation of their petition and argued the objections of consumers and organisations before the Commission.
The FCIK delegation led by former President Shakeel Qalander included former presidents Er. Zahoor Bhat, Mohammad Ashraf Mir, Syed Fazal Illahi and Ovees Jami.
The delegation while expressing its surprise on the opportunistic proposal of KPDCL for subsuming of 15% electricity duty in the wake of possible abolishment by the government asked as to why the utility wanted to snatch the smile from the lips of consumers had the government made up its mind to extend some relief to them. FCIK also made a point that GST council was understandably contemplating to include many left out goods and services under the purview of GST which possibly may also include supply of electricity. The delegation argued that any increase in the tariff could only be sought from the Commission against valid details which have not been furnished by the utility. FCIK submitted the Commission not to entertain the misleading plea of the utility that there would be no impact on the last year’s tariff of consumers. FCIK also opposed the proposal to double the flat rates for unmetered consumers, terming it harsh for the poor of far flung areas.
While hailing the performance of the corporations for putting in place necessary grid and transmission infrastructure, the FCIK delegation submitted that the continued addition in such infrastructure was inevitable in view of growing demands for electricity from industry and the general public. Explaining the need for future electricity requirement, FCIK said that current per capita energy consumption in Jammu and Kashmir of 1492 kilowatt hour was only 1/3rd of the average global per capita consumption and was likely to increase with more and more use of modern gadgets and setting up of industry.
The FCIK also took up the matter of deficiency in manpower with all power related corporations and submitted that this could directly affect the efficiency of the corporations pointing out that as per the petition there were 774 vacant posts in JKPTCL alone. FCIK also submitted that the Commission recommended enhancement in the retirement age of senior technocrats with vast experience in similar way as decided for medicos, university professors if it was within its mandate. FCIK regretted that two of the power corporations JKPCL and JKSPDC were running without full time heads.
FCIK also laid emphasis on purchase of more solar energy for its attractive cost besides recommending setting up of solar projects in the UT. FCIK regretted that currently the UT was producing just 30 MWs of solar energy in comparison to 17800 MW in Rajasthan, 10130 MW in Gujarat, 9050 MW in Karnataka and 6800 MW in Tamil Nadu. The members of the commission, KPDCL and civil society entered into a prolonged argument on the issue but all of them accepting the need to promote roof top solar panels apart from setting up of solar projects. The Commission directed the officials to have more interaction with FCIK on the issue with participation of JAKEDA authorities also.
Among other points, FCIK also discussed the frequent incidents of electrocution of linemen and other staff and regretted that despite the clear instructions from the Commission most of the field staff was still working without necessary safety equipment for the linemen and other staff members. The Commission took note of the exigency and assured of appropriate orders on the issue.
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