Srinagar: Taking strong note of electricity theft, the power development department (PDD) on Saturday ordered regular intensive inspections across Jammu and Kashmir to curb power pilferage and to initiate legal action against the people using electricity illegally.
The directions were passed by Principal Secretary PDD, Rohit Kansal to officials while reviewing the status of power restoration works post heavy rains and strong winds that uprooted several poles and damaged other power infrastructure in Jammu region, an official spokesperson said Saturday.
Kansal, he said, exhorted senior field officers of the department to lead from the front and ensure immediate restoration of full power supply to the Jammu region in the wake of the damages caused to power infrastructure following strong winds and rain.
The official spokesperson said that the Principal Secretary PDD was informed that a number of trees and over 300 poles were uprooted due to strong winds in the region leading to a disruption in the power infrastructure. He was also informed that restoration works had started immediately and over 80% of the work had been completed.
“Emphasizing that the departmental officers had the skills and the competence to make a difference, Kansal asked them to personally attend to restoration, identify problems in the system and ensure that the same were rectified without any delay,”
“He also warned that any laxity would invite action and that responsibility and accountability would be fixed for any delays or laxity and also for undue or unscheduled power outages,” he added.
Kansal, the official spokesperson said also instructed that intensive inspections without fear and favour be conducted regularly against illegal power connections and stringent action including disconnections and all legal action be taken against those using electricity illegally besides disconnection of all illegal connections.
“The Principal Secretary impressed upon the concerned to prepare a list of defaulters to be displayed prominently while also calling for strict action against such defaulters,” he said.
He said that the Principal Secretary stressed on providing scheduled power supply in all areas and said each division should ensure that maintenance works needed to keep the system running smoothly were carried out on a regular basis. In this connection, he laid special emphasis on LT network maintenance.
As per the official spokesperson, Kansal also asked the concerned officers to ensure that information of approved power shutdowns be given well in advance and widely publicized through social media and official handles of the department so that general people are kept well informed.
While stressing on maintaining a prompt public grievances system, the Principal Secretary instructed that all grievances received through any media should be promptly addressed.
“If the full resolution of a problem would involve some time, an intern reply indicating the likely time of redressal should be given,” he said, as per official spokesperson.
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