SRINAGAR: Terming the demonstrations and strikes in favour of certain assumed demands, by some employees, as ‘totally illegal’, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir, Power Development Department, Tuesday warned the agitating employees of ‘consequences’ as per law in case of violations'. 

Reproducing the Government instructions, J&K Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, and ruling of the Hon'ble Supreme Court for dealing with the issue, the government in a circular detailed out that the Rule 20 (ii) of the Jammu and Kashmir Government Employees (Conduct) Rules, 1971 reads that "Demonstrations and strikes: No Government employees shall resort to, or in any way abet any form of strike in connection with any matter pertaining to his service or the service of any other Government employee".

“The (specified) provision of law is not merely declaratory, but will definitely entail consequences in case of violation, as it clearly prohibits demonstrations and strikes by the Government employees,” the circular remarked. 

“Vide SRO-160 dated 14-7-1995, the Jammu And Kashmir Civil Services (Recognition of Service Association) Rules, 1995 have been issued by the General Administration Department, which shall apply to the Service Associations of all regular civil employees of the Government, except; (a) Gazetted Services; (b) Persons in industrial establishments employed mainly in managerial or administrative capacity, and those who being employed in supervisory capacity drawing salary in pay scales above Rs.3200/- per mensem; and (c) Police Personnel,” reads the circular, a copy of which lies with GNS. 

“These rules further provide, i) Service Associations already recognised: A Service Association which has been recognised by the Government before the commencement of these rules and in respect of which the recognition is subsisting at such commencement, shall continue to be so recognized for a period of one year from such commencement or till the date on which the recognition is withdrawn, whichever be earlier; ii) Rule 6(k): Conditions for continuance of recognition of Service Association:- The Service Association shall not do any act or assist in the doing of any act which, if done by a Government servant, would contravene any of the provisions of the Services (Conduct) Rules and iii) Rule 9: Withdrawal of Recognition: If in the opinion of the Government, a Service Association recognised under these rules has failed to comply with any of the conditions set out in rule-5 or rule-6 or rule-7, the Government may, after giving an opportunity to the Service Association to present its case, withdraw the recognition accorded to such Association,” reads the circular.
 
“In terms of O.M No: GAD-ADMOIII/158/2023-09-GAD dated 03.11.2023, all the Administrative Secretaries were requested to circulate the instructions to employees in their respective to desist from
Department(s) all such uncalled for demonstrations and strikes: an act of serious indiscipline and misconduct.”
“Further, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in case Appeal (Civil) No.5556/2003 titled T.K. Rangarajan vs Government of Tamil Nadu (SC 2003) has held that the employees have fundamental, statutory or moral right to resort to strike as there is no law regarding it, and also, according to various service and conduct rules, they are prohibited to go on a strike,” reads the circular. 

The Hon'ble Apex Court, as per the Circular, further stated: 'a strike is a powerful weapon; it affects the society as a whole, and the government employees cannot go on a strike affecting society. Government employees cannot claim that they can take the Vishal society at ransom by going on strike. Even if there is injustice to some extent, as presumed by such employees, in a democratic welfare State, they have to resort to the machinery provided under different statutory provisions for redressal of their grievances. Strike as a weapon is mostly misused which results in chaos and total maladministration reads the circular.’ 

"The instructions/rules are brought to the notice of all concerned, and if any employee is found indulging in organizing, or taking part in demonstration(s) and/or strike(s) in violation of the rules and instructions mentioned above, strict action as per law shall be taken against such employee(s)," reads the circular further. 

The issuance of the circular has come after employees of Kashmir Power Development Corporation (KPDCL) staged a silent protest in Srinagar recently, demanding the reinstatement of their suspended colleagues. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) suspended fifteen more employees on Saturday and initiated disciplinary proceedings against them.

The Managing Director of KPDCL and its administrative officials issued multiple suspension orders against its employees.

The suspension and disciplinary proceedings were initiated against ten linemen, meter readers, and technicians.

KPDCL, in different suspension orders of its employees, said that disciplinary proceedings under Rule 33 of the JK Civil Services (Classification, Control, and Appeal) Rules, 1956, are contemplated against them.

Accordingly, the officials placed all 15 employees under suspension with immediate effect.

The suspended officers, shall remain attached with the respective Executive Engineer till further orders.

SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Government on Tuesday put under suspension twelve engineers of J/KPDCL over disciplinary proceedings under rule-33 of J&K Civil Services (Classification, Control and Appeal) Rules, 1956. 

Among the suspended Engineers include; Er. Gulzar Ahmad Khan, I/C Sub division Budgam KPDCL, Er. Sheikh Mustafa Hussain, I/C Sub Division MR Gunj ED-III, Er., Farooq Raina, I/C Sub Division Kangan, Er. Rajnesh Sharma, I/C AEE Sub Division Dharmi ED-Reasi, JPDCL, Er. Vinod Kumar, I/C AEE Sub- Division Ramkot ED Kathua JPDCL, Er. Sushil Angral, AEE Sub Division/Reasi KPDCL, Er. Sandeep Kumar, AEE Sub Division Pouni, ED Reasi, Er. Waseem Yatoo, JE Sheikh Bagh ED-I Srinagar, Er. Kaunsar Shafi, JE ED-I Nishat Srinagar, Er. Kuldeep Kachroo, JE Sheikh Bagh, ED-I, Srinagar, Er. Mohammad Imran Khuroo, JE, SD-1, ED-Sopore and Er. Rouf Maqbool, JE, Rainawari, ED-IV Srinagar.

The suspended officers, as per separate orders copies available with GNS, shall remain attached with the respective Executive Engineer till further orders. 

The Rule-33, an official told GNS, is related to 'poor revenue collection'. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: With the commencement of the holy month of Ramadhan, Kashmir valley continues to face unscheduled power curtailments cuts— leaving the consumers to reel under darkness especially at Suhoor and fast breaking time.

Locals from almost all districts of Kashmir region said that the power scenario has worsened from the past four days.

One of the locals of south Kashmir’s Pulwama area, Razaq Ahmad said, “Despite being a local of a smart metered area, the power is playing hide and seek with us.”

"At the time of installing smart meters, we were promised an uninterrupted power supply. All I can see is a fake promise by the Power Development Department,” he said.

Ahmad said that the people of his area continue to reel under darkness. “Irony is that we are not even being provided electricity especially at Suhoor and Iftar time.”

Similarly, the residents of Qazigund area narrated the same ordeal.

One of the locals of Qazigund, Rashid Ahmad Khan said that he has never witnessed such a bad scenario of power in Ramadhan.

The 45-year-old Khan said, “This is the worst ever power scenario in my area. I request the Lieutenant Government administration to intervene in this matter and resolve the matter at earliest.”

Many such calls were received from the electricity consumers of Srinagar and north Kashmir’s Baramulla, Bandipora and Kupwara districts. Besides, the electricity consumers of central Kashmir’s Ganderbal and Budgam districts expressed antipathy against the authorities for failing to provide uninterrupted electricity.

Inhabitants of several villages of Lower Kangan area in Central Kashmir’s Ganderbal district also expressed resentment against the PDD for failing to provide adequate electricity to them especially in the holy month of Ramadan.

The residents of areas said that they were not getting the electricity as per the schedule and were facing tremendous hardships especially during Sehri and Iftar times.

The locals from Prang, Kangan, Akhal Anderwan Haripora, Wussan, Chattergul, Kachnabal, Najwan, Wayil, Nunner and main town Ganderbal said they were receiving electricity for a maximum of two to four hours a day.

The locals of Kashmir valley appealed to the Jammu and Kashmir administration to resolve the matter at earliest.

A top official of KPDCL told KNO that it has provided smooth power supply across Kashmir Division. “There are some local issues and snags which are taken care of.”

On asking about the unscheduled power cuts and change in power curtailment in the month of Ramadhan the official said, “Consumers have a habit of generalising things. Majority of the faults in 11 KV feeders is due to system overloads and massive misuse of electricity by exceeding sanctioned load in non metered areas.”

The official said that the rural belt was almost all flat rated.

It also said that because of DT outages due to excessive overload, some feeders were under fault due to overnight rains and snow in certain areas.

Meanwhile, Principal Secretary Power Development Department H Rajesh Prasad said, “Our power supply position remains the same.”

On asking about any change in the power curtailment schedule in the month of Ramadhan, the Principal Secretary said that there was no change in it. “We have not taken any decision in this regard and as of now there is no change in power curtailment schedule.”

Pertinently, earlier this week, Chief Engineer KPDCL (Distribution) Sandeep Seth said that it was charting out the plan and mechanism to resolve the power curtailment issues for the month of Ramadhan.

“We are working on it and most likely, the new curtailment schedule will be implemented from the first day of Ramadhan,” he said. (KNO)

SRINAGAR: The Power Development Department is mulling to improve the power curtailment schedule in holy month of Ramadan.

Besides, the department said that it will improve and reduce the power curtailment especially at Suhoor and fast breaking time (Iftar).

Chief Engineer KPDCL (Distribution) Sandeep Seth said that it was charting out the plan and mechanism to resolve the power curtailment issues for the month of Ramadhan.

“We are working on it and most likely, the new curtailment schedule will be implemented from the first day of Ramadan,” he said.

On asking about the improving power curtailment at peak hours, the Chief Engineer said, “In the month of Ramadan, the peak hours will be pre-dawn and dusk. We are mulling to improve the power curtailment especially at Sahoor and Iftar.”

Pertinently, the holy Ramadan is likely to commence from Tuesday.

In the last week of February, amid frequent power outages and distress cuts across Kashmir valley, Kashmir Power Developed Corporation Limited (KPDCL) had said that it was facing power shortage of nearly 400 Megawatts (MWs).

An official of KPDCL had said, “As of now, sufficient power is not available with us. Currently, KPDCL is reeling under shortage of electricity.”

The official said, “There is a shortage of nearly 300-400 Mega Watts. In view of the power shortage, there may be some areas in Kashmir who would be facing distress cuts and unscheduled outage.” (KNO)

SRINAGAR: A man from Soiteng locality has been booked for allegedly assaulting an on-duty Power Development Department lineman, an official said here on Friday. 

The official told GNS that Ghulam Mohiuddin Parray, of Soiteng, was booked under relevant sections of law after he allegedly assaulted a line on duty lineman. 

"Besides being booked for his unruly act, the (power) services of the consumer have also been removed," the official said. 

Confirming it, a police official told GNS that they have registered a case vide FIR number 23/2024 under different sections of law for further proceedings. (GNS)

Dr. Ab Qayoom

SRINAGAR: Power supply and road connectivity remained interrupted across distict Kupwara after J&K received its 2nd snowfall of the season on Sunday.

The normal life was severely affected due to uninterrupted snowfall in north Kashmir. The snowfall left most parts of the Kupwara district without electricity while traffic movement too was affected. Most parts of the Kupwara district remained disconnected with the district headquarter.

In many of the adjacent villages of Kupwara, Handwara and Langate, the snow clearing machines had not been pressed into service resulting in the hardships of the locals.

In Kupwara, the upper reaches received heavy snowfall, villages disconnected with the district and sub district headquarters.

The locals said that the snow clearing machines did not reach their areas.The road connectivity between different plane and higher areas too remained severely affected following the heavy snowfall on Sunday evening.

The locals added that following the heavy snowfall, the transporters could not resume their services as the roads were slippery. The snowfall also caused disruption in electricity while drinking water supply too remained affected.

"The upper reaches including plain areas like Monabal Makal, Rangnath, Qaziabad, Pharou, Qalamabad, Haril, Langate, and several other villages have received more than a feet snowfall. However, the authorities’ failure to clear the roads has multiplied the problems of locals here.

People in these areas also alleged that the authorities failed to clear roads off snow facing severe inconvenience. The residents of scores of villages located in the upper reaches of the Kupwara, Handwara, Langate and other areas urged the authorities to press snow clearing machines into service following heavy snowfall in the area.

The residents said, "We are without electricity and are disconnected with the district and sub district headquarters  as roads have not been cleared. We urge authorities to take speedy steps to clear the roads."

With the second snowfall across the district, the majority of areas remained cutoff from district headquarters throwing normal life out of gear. Snowfall led to the closure of Kupwara-Karnah, Keran, Machil, Budnamal, Jumgund and other roads leading to upper reaches of the district.

The business establishments and transport remained affected by and large and traffic off the roads with minimum movement of general public and less percentage of government employees in offices.

The snowfall also caused widespread power and drinking water disruption giving tough time to netizens. People from Rajwar Handwara said that whenever there is snowfall, their area remains cut off from the main town for days together.

The administration which has established control rooms across the subdivisions of the district said that the snow clearance operations were initiated from early in the morning.

Talking to HEADLINES TODAY, concern officals said that, "Main roads in the district had been made accessible while working hard to make all the link roads motorable soon for civil administration."

"Efforts are on to restore the electricity as soon as possible," PDD. (HT)

SRINAGAR: Amid severe wintry conditions, power and heating system failure in the Srinagar wing of High Court of J&K and Ladakh on Monday triggered strong reaction by the court for “pathetic and unbelievable condition.”  

“During Court hours, the High Court has suffered a complete power failure. The generator is also not working. There are no lights. The air heating unit (AHU) is also not functional,” a Division Bench of Justice Atul Sreedharan and Justice Moksha Khajuria Kazmi observed during hearing of a case.  

“It is pathetic and unbelievable that this is the condition of Srinagar Wing of the High Court of J&K and Ladakh,” the court said.

The court observed that the power failure took place at about 09:45 a.m. and was still not restored until about 11.28 a.m. when the court passed the order.

“The matter has gone from bad to worse. There is a permanent solution that is required,” the court said as per an order, a copy of which lies with GNS, adding, “This Court requests the Chief Secretary of the Union Territory to pass necessary orders to solve this problem forthwith.”

“The solution may vary from having a separate power line to the High Court which does not experience any downtime and also supported by generators of such capacity which can power the entire High Court and also the air heating unit without interruption in the event of the dedicated power supply to the High Court fails,” the court said. 

It has listed the matter again on February 21 “at the top of the list for further orders.” (GNS)

SRINAGAR: The Divisional Commissioner (Div Com) Kashmir, Vijay Kumar Bidhuri Tuesday convened a meeting of Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) to review power scenario in Kashmir division.

Addressing the meeting of officers, the Div Com directed the concerned to act humanely in event of harsh cold climatic conditions and replace the damaged Distribution Transformer (DT) to ease peoples sufferings.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Commissioner Srinagar, Managing Director, KPDCL; Chief Engineer KPDCL/ KPTCL, Generation/ Planning and Procurement Kashmir and other concerned officers in person, besides all Deputy Commissioner’s of Kashmir Division through Video Conferencing.

At the outset the MD KPDCL briefed the meeting about the power scenario in Kashmir through a PowerPoint presentation which includes average demand met; maximum demand un-restricted and average curtailment. He informed that there has been no distress cut after additional allocation of 200 MWs of power across Kashmir Valley.

The Div Com reviewed district wise details of average curtailment hours in metered and non-metered both in urban and rural areas of Kashmir division.

Meeting also discussed the present Distribution Transformer Buffer status of KPDCL and replacement time. The Div Com directed the concerned to ensure sufficient buffer stock of DTs in each district and simultaneously it should also be ensured that different capacities of DTs are in buffer to replace equal capacity of DTs.

It was informed that the average time taken to repair the damaged transformers has been reduced, with restoration time of less than 12 hours in urban areas and in a day in rural areas.

The meeting also reviewed the status of smart metering under PMDP-U phase-I and II.

The Div Com sought the feedback of damaged DTs on a daily basis to his office besides where replacement has taken more than one day.

He also directed the DCs and other concerned to launch drives against the power thefts vigorously to prevent pilferage.

SRINAGAR:  In an attempt to combat large-scale power pilferage and improve bill deposits by defaulting consumers, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) conducted a whopping 10,465 inspections and disconnected over 11,000 consumers in the last 10 days of November 2023.

KPDCL also realized a revenue of Rs.85.24 crore, including power receipts, in the same period, with highest remittances of Rs.16.42 crore recorded on November 28 alone.

Sharing details, a KPDCL spokesperson confirmed rampant hooking of lines on bare conductor in metered areas and exceeding energy use beyond agreed load by flat-rated consumers across Kashmir Division. “During inspection overdrive, penalty of Rs.1.03 crore was imposed on consumers found involved in power theft across all 6 O&M Circles in last 10 days of November. As many as 995 connections were regularised and 2120 KW load added,” the spokesman said.

O&M Circle Ganderbal conducted the highest number of 2,945 inspections, followed by Circle Spore with 2,048, Circle II Srinagar 1,950, Pulwama 1,528, Bijbehara 1,004 and Circle I Srinagar 990.   

Crediting KPDCL patrolling teams for moving out in sub-zero temperature to expose power pilferage, the spokesman shared details of 11,238 consumers disconnected in the last 10 days of November, who had pending energy dues exceeding three months. This included 7,828 domestic, 2,979 commercial and 346 industrial consumers.

The spokesperson assured the consumers of strict adherence to power curtailment schedule following additional allocation of power to UT of Jammu & Kashmir by the Central Government. 

Emphasizing judicious use of power, KPDCL spokesperson also warned consumers to avoid hooking, bypassing of meters and exceeding overload, failing which KPDCL will file criminal charges under relevant provisions of the Electricity Act. “We will soon start sharing details of consumers who have pending energy dues in lakhs towards the organisation. We will also expose hookers who have the temerity to openly use power unauthorisedly,” he said. adding that FIRs will be lodged against those persons who physically assault KPDCL staff for performing official duties.   

The spokesman also warned commercial consumers including hotels, malls and other business outlets who have been found involved in tampering with meters and have been caught red-handed by the Central Inspection Squad of KPDCL. “We have taken cognizance under law and penalised them. These penalties for power theft have been confirmed by the First Appellate Authority under Sections 126 & 127 of the Electricity Act. KPDCL will ensure the fines are deposited, otherwise we will act tough and initiate legal proceedings against them,” he said, adding the lists of all such defaulters is lying with KPDCL and will be made public soon.

Confirming positive outcomes of accelerated inspection and disconnection drives, KPDCL spokesman said such drives will continue which are aimed at preventing energy losses and enhancing revenue collection from defaulting consumers. “There have been many positive takeaways from such drives. This will help us in adhering to power curtailment schedule and extending comfort to the genuine consumers,” he assured.

Reiterating concern over the rate of damage to Domestic Transformers (DTs), the spokesperson urged the consumers to prevent overloading of DTs which puts entire habitations to great hardships during peak winter times. “We have maintained steady rate of replacing damaged transformers. Our teams at Central Workshop Pampore and divisional-level workshops are working 24X7 to repair damaged DTs and ensuring time-bound replacement,” he added.

SRINAGAR: For the first time after Independence, the far off Gurez Valley in Jammu and Kashmir’s Bandipora district was successfully connected to the electricity grid on Sunday.

The 30,000 population of the frontier region having high strategic importance for being close to the Line of Control (LoC) relied on diesel generator sets for the electricity.

The region now has access to a reliable source of electricity, an official spokesman said.

On Sunday, the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) made the announcement of the historic development on X.

"KPDCL is thrilled to share that Gurez now enjoys Grid connectivity with the successful charging of the 33kV Line and RSTN Dawar overcoming challenging terrain. This marks a significant milestone as it brings electricity to the only area in Kashmir that relied on DG sets," the KPDCL said in the post on X.

J&K Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha, expressed his joy and stated that this marks a momentous occasion in the history of the region.

The spokesman said the project of connecting Gurez to the electricity grid involved around 180 kilometers of 150 mmsq conductor, 1950 ST Poles, four km of underground cabeling over vast streches passing over Razdhan Pass situated at a height of 12672 ft above sea level having most hostile weather conditions and tough terrain and topography.

“The successful test check underscores the commitment of the Government to reach out to the people of far-flung areas,” he said.

Deputy Commissioner Bandipora Owais Ahmad said patience and perseverance of people of Gurez throughout the process.

He said the impact that electricity will have on various facets of daily life, including education, healthcare, and economic activities.

The DC said 1500 consumers will be benefited in the first phase and the rest of the villages will be connected in a phased manner.

"The electrification of Gurez Valley is not just about providing power but about empowering the local communities, fostering economic growth, and enhancing the overall quality of life," he said.

As the lights illuminate Gurez , it symbolizes not just the arrival of electricity but the dawn of a new era for the residents, full of possibilities and opportunities. (UNI)

SRINAGAR: In a strategic move to alleviate the impact of a 15% tariff increase, the officials on Friday the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD) has announced the withdrawal of Electricity Duty (ED) in its revised power tariff.

The decision, effective from 1st December 2023, comes following the issuance of a new Tariff Order by the Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), Jammu & Kashmir.

The JERC, after thorough consideration and adherence to standard procedures, implemented a 15% tariff hike while maintaining fixed charges at their existing levels. Notably, the revised overall tariff rate remains below the actual procurement cost incurred by the corporations in supplying power to consumers.

To safeguard consumers from an increase in their electricity bills, the Government of Jammu and Kashmir has taken a proactive step by withdrawing the 15% Electricity Duty previously applied to energy charges in the existing tariff structure. This calculated decision ensures that the overall impact on consumers' electricity bills is nullified.

a sample calculation for a domestic consumer consuming 500 units per month reveals energy charges of Rs. 2185 (calculated at Rs. 3.80 per unit, plus 15% Electricity Duty), fixed charges of Rs. 40, resulting in a total electricity bill of Rs. 2225.

In comparison, the new tariff for 2023-24 sees an increase in energy charges to Rs. 2175 (calculated at Rs. 4.35 per unit), maintaining fixed charges at Rs. 40, resulting in a total electricity bill of Rs. 2215.

Notably, despite the 15% tariff increase, the withdrawal of the 15% Electricity Duty ensures no increase in the final electricity bill for consumers.

In a remarkable move towards enhancing power supply efficiency, the PDD has successfully implemented a series of reforms aimed at delivering improved and high-quality power supply to consumers at an affordable price.

A significant milestone in this reform journey is the restructuring of the power department by unbundling the departmental structure into two Distribution Companies (DISCOMS) and a Transmission Corporation. This long-awaited reform aligns Jammu & Kashmir with other Indian States/UTs, ensuring consumer services are enhanced while ensuring the sustainability of the power sector.

To facilitate this restructuring, a substantial financial package of Rs. 5000 Crores was allocated for the comprehensive upgrade of infrastructure under various Central Sector Schemes. This investment aims to create adequate capacities in almost every district, providing regular and quality power supply to citizens.

To ensure that the newly formed corporations are provided with a clean balance sheet, all the outstanding dues on account of power purchase, accumulated to the tune of Rs. 30700 Crores over several years, were taken over by the Government and cleared by availing soft loans under GOI Schemes like Atmanirbhar Bharat and LPS Rules 2022. Accordingly, a conducive platform has been provided to the discoms to operate on sound business principles and deliver optimal services to consumers, thereby enhancing overall consumer satisfaction levels.

In the present system as well, the discoms continue to grapple with high losses attributed mainly to power theft, poor metering and low tariff rates, which are a major cause of concern not only for the department but also threaten the overall efficiency of the sector. The high Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses, reaching 44% in Jammu and 58% in Kashmir as compared to the national average of 16.44%, have left DISCOMS unable to meet power purchase expenses, leaving aside other critical expenditures like Operations & Maintenance (O&M) and capital investments, which still continue to be supported by Government.

For ensuring financial sustainability of power sector, even GOI has launched schemes like Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) where-under conditional grants linked to the performance of discoms on certain pre-defined parameters have been provisioned.

The parameters which are required to be maintained for mainting the proper fund-flow under the schemes, the DISCOMS need to implement crucial measures such as adopting cost-reflective tariffs, reducing AT&C losses, reducing ACS-ARR Gap and various other reforms to ensure financial sustainability of the sector, there by ensuring uninterrupted power supply in line with the evolving living standards of consumers. In today’s modern era, as the entire country progresses towards a digital India with a focus on on-demand services, the power sector is no exception.

It is analogous to any other commodity we purchase from the market, where the consumer pays, and the seller provides. Fundamentally, consumers seek nothing more than uninterrupted power supply, whether they are urban or rural consumers. Additionally, it is the duty of every utility to meet the expectations and needs of the consumers it serves.(GNS)