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to be so recognized for a period of one year from such commencement or till the date on which the recognition is withdrawn, whichever be earlier; ii) Rule 6(k): Conditions for continuance of recognition of Service Association:- The Service Association shall not do any act or assist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: 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: Kashmir Power Distribution Company Limited (KPDCL) Thursday announced an increase in curtailment by 2 to 2.5 hours across Kashmir Valley during peak hours temporarily. 

“This is for the information of the general public that due to a drastic reduction in power generation resulting in reduced availability of power, KPDCL shall be forced to temporarily increase the curtailment by 2 to 2.5 hours across Kashmir Valley during peak hours,” KPDCL said in a post on X, according to GNS. 

“The temporary increase shall be reversed as soon as sufficient power is available,” it said, adding, “The inconvenience caused is deeply regretted.” (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Mussarat Islam, has emphasised upon the Superintending Engineers of all 06 O&M Circles of Kashmir Division to improve billing and collection efficiency which has a direct bearing on the revenue realisation and reduction in AT &C losses.

He passed these directions during a meeting held today to review the functioning of the corporation with focus on inspections and disconnections, revenue realisation, DT damages and strict adherence to curtailment schedule.

Chief Engineer, Distribution, Javed Yousuf Dar, Superintending Engineers of all O&M Circles, Executive Engineers of all Electric Divisions and SDOs attended the meeting.

Laying emphasis on strict adherence to curtailment schedule, MD reiterated the earlier directions passed by the Principal Secretary Power and impressed upon all the officers to ensure that no unscheduled power cuts are undertaken. He also laid stress on maintaining strict vigil over feeders which are vulnerable to power pilferage by way of hooking, bypass of meters and exceeding agreed load.

The meeting was informed that KPDCL has conducted 14,893 inspections during the month of November and imposed a fine of Rs.1.80 crore. As many as 995 illegal connections were regularised and a load of 2.9 MW added. The KPDCL went into overdrive in the last 10 days of November, following complaints of large-scale hooking and non-payment of dues by defaulting consumers.

MD KPDCL and Chief Engineer (Distribution) appreciated the escalated drives of inspections and disconnections which are crucial to improvement in power scenario, especially in peak winter months.

During the current financial year, KPDCL has conducted 78,673 inspections and regularised 31,706 connections in Kashmir Division, the meeting was informed. KPDCL has also disconnected 13229 consumers for want of non-payment of energy dues, for which Rs.4.83 crore arrears were collected from defaulting consumers in November alone.

Appreciating the performance of all Electric Divisions in launching a massive drive against power pilferage, MD KPDCL advised all the Executive Engineers to improve billing and collection efficiency, which is at the core of bringing down AT&C losses. He fixed the responsibility of concerned SDOs to further improve revenue realisation, which will be continuously monitored.

Expressing concern over slight increase in DT damage rate, MD KPDCL directed all AEEs to maintain log of damaged transformers and its replacement within the timelines fixed by keying in relevant details on the newly revised designated portal.   

MD KPDCL also directed SEs to prepare Circle-wise post-snow preparedness plans for real time restoration of power supply. He advised the SEs to also keep an eye on weather forecast which shall allow them mobilise men and machinery in advance. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: Dozens of KPDCL Dailywagers staged a protest demonstration Thursday here, expressing frustration against Electric Division Sumbal for failing to timely process their seniority files. 

The President of the KPDCL Dailywagers Association, Abdul Hamid Wagay told GNS that their seniority files have been pending in the office of the Executive Engineer Sumbal for many months now. "Despite fulfilling all the necessary formalities and making repeated visits to the Division office, their files have not been sent to the concerned circle office", he alleged. 

“This delay in processing of seniority files has resulted in immense hardships for the dailywagers and their families, with a chunk facing the threat of imminent starvation,” he said.

During the demonstration, the protesters urged the relevant authorities to give serious consideration to their demands and promptly address them. 

They warned that if their demands are not met in a timely manner, they would proceed with an indefinite strike. (GNS)

SRINAGAR: To keep pace with latest state of art technology coupled with empowering consumers with transparency, KPDCL shall register all prospective consumers applying for new Electric connections on prepaid basis.

With this major step towards better reforms, consumers that are applying for new connections shall be provided smart meters with prepaid functionality for bill payment

The consumers applying for new connections have to apply online at the website www.kpdcl.jkpdd.net. The consumer shall deposit the security deposit and first prepaid recharge corresponding to sanctioned load to energize the smart meter.

The Lt. Governor  has already launched  the Smart Bill Sahuliyat APP(PWA) , SMART BS on 27th February, 2023 to start the new era of transparency  where consumers can check, manage and pay their bills on the same portal.

Consumers can additionally make use of any choice of online payment gateway including “mpay” or can even recharge through JK Bank Branch in the same manner as postpaid bill payment. The new smart meter shall be provided and Installed by KPDCL.

This latest development will bring more transparency in power sector reforms of Kashmir Valley and provide reliable power supply by demand side management at consumer level. (GNS)