PULWAMA, OCTOBER 16: Deputy Commissioner (DC) Pulwama, Kuldeep Krishan Sidha, today chaired a comprehensive review meeting of the Power Development Sector at the Meeting Hall of the Administrative Complex, Pulwama, to review the overall functioning of the power sector, revenue generation, winter preparedness and progress of ongoing schemes, including works under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).
A detailed presentation on the power sector of District Pulwama was presented before the Chair, covering the overall power supply position, revenue generation, loss reduction, winter preparedness, RDSS, smart metering, infrastructure augmentation, PM Surya Ghar and other related interventions.
Reviewing the overall power sector, the DC directed the concerned officers to assess the present load, carrying capacity and available margins of all Grid Stations, Receiving Stations and transformers and undertake advance planning in view of the anticipated increase in power demand during winter. He further directed the officers to analyse the average power consumption and load data of the last three years and use the assessment for advance preparedness and contingency planning to ensure uninterrupted power supply during the winter season.
The DC directed the concerned field agencies to undertake branch cutting along power lines well in advance to minimise interruptions, line faults and safety hazards arising from snowfall, high winds and other adverse weather conditions.
On revenue generation, the DC stressed the need for 100 percent revenue realization and directed the field staff to ensure timely collection of electricity dues, improve billing and collection efficiency and intensify recovery of outstanding dues. He directed the Executive Engineers to undertake regular field visits, with special focus on industrial areas and revenue generation, and work towards achieving full revenue realization.
The DC also stressed 100 percent consumer saturation and accurate consumer mapping, directing the JEs to ensure that there is no discrepancy between the number of households and registered electricity consumers and that every eligible consumer receiving electricity is properly accounted for.
He directed all concerned departments and field officers to ensure nil pendency, undertake regular reviews and resolve issues in coordination with the concerned agencies. The concerned branch managers were asked to prioritise power-sector related matters and facilitate their early disposal.
The DC reiterated that public safety and protection of public and private property must remain paramount, particularly while undertaking power infrastructure and field works. He directed that proper safety toolkits and protective equipment be provided to daily-wage workers and field staff, making it clear that there would be no compromise on safety standards.
He also directed all concerned agencies to make adequate manpower and resources available and resolve field-level bottlenecks promptly. Issues relating to labour, including the matter concerning deployment of non-local labour at Sangerwani, as well as certain banking-related concerns, were also discussed, with the DC assuring facilitation for their early resolution.
Reviewing the progress achieved under RDSS. It was informed that the revised outlay for RDSS loss-reduction works in Pulwama stands at Rs 178.68 crore, including Rs 148.54 crore as Government of India share and Rs 30.13 crore as UT share. The loss-reduction package has achieved around 78 percent physical progress, while component-wise execution, feeder works, material availability and expenditure were also reviewed.
The DC directed the implementing agencies and contractors to prioritise RDSS works and complete critical components before the onset of winter. He stressed that works involving erection of poles, feeder improvement, reconductoring and other loss-reduction interventions should be executed in mission mode so that the remaining works are completed within the stipulated timeline.
Reviewing the smart metering component under RDSS, the meeting was informed that the district has a total of 96,140 consumers, with 75,183 smart meters installed under RDSS and 12,825 meters installed under PMDP-II.
The DC directed the concerned agencies to accelerate the remaining metering works and ensure completion by November, with additional manpower to be deployed wherever required.
The DC directed that sufficient stocks of poles, transformers and other essential electrical material be maintained, particularly in villages located far from the district headquarters, so that replacement equipment reaches such areas well before any emergency arises. He made it clear that stores should not fall into deficit at any cost.
He also directed that contractors be provided proper facilities at workshops, including adequate infrastructure and working arrangements, to facilitate timely execution. Any issues related to procurement through GeM were directed to be taken up and resolved promptly.
The DC directed all departments, implementing agencies and contractors to fully utilise available manpower, machinery, material and other resources and maintain close coordination for timely execution of works. Line officers and contractors were asked to regularly review pending issues, report progress and remove bottlenecks without delay.
The DC also reviewed the implementation of the PM Surya Ghar programme and directed the concerned agencies to expedite progress and achieve 100 percent completion. Taking note of subsidy-related cases, he directed the Lead District Manager to expedite pending matters and ensure no pendency in subsidy claims, with the concerned banking institutions facilitating their early disposal.
Concluding the review, the DC stressed that the approaching winter and expected rise in power demand require advance preparedness, coordinated action and time-bound execution. He directed all stakeholders to work in mission mode and ensure that critical power-sector and RDSS works are completed well before the onset of winter.
The meeting was attended by Additional District Development Commissioner Pulwama Gulzar Ahmad Bhat, Chief Planning Officer Pulwama Aashiq Khanday, SE KPDCL Pulwama, SE projects South and senoirs officers from KPDCL and RDSS, and other concerned departments, besides representatives of implementing agencies, contractors and other stakeholders.
