RK Singh pushes for power sector improvement in UT
Tribune News Service
Jammu, February 26
Union Minister of State for Power (independent charge) RK Singh and Lieutenant Governor Girish Chandra Murmu on Wednesday chaired a high-level meeting at the Civil Secretariat to review the power and renewable energy scenario in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir and discussed the modalities for strengthening the power sector.
Power Development Department Secretary M Raju gave a detailed presentation, wherein he highlighted various achievements of the department, particularly unbundling of the department into various corporations to reduce the aggregate technical and commercial (AT&C), transmission and distribution (T&D) and power purchase losses and increase the revenue realisation.
He also gave an insight into the steps being taken to improve the power supply position in Jammu & Kashmir. During the meeting, the Union MoS highlighted that the mission of the government is to provide 24×7 power to all districts of the UT within the next two years.
He said sufficient power was available in the country, but J&K needed to address the issues by putting in place sufficient T&D system. He directed the officers concerned to prepare a project for capacity addition, which could ensure 24×7 power to the consumers and submit it to the Government of India.
The Union MoS observed that with the completion of upcoming power projects such as Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kwar, J&K would become power-sufficient. The Lt Governor also reiterated that timelines for completion of projects must not be compromised in any case.
Expressing his concern over the cost escalation in various projects like DDUGJY, IPDS and PMDP under implementation in J&K, the Union MoS emphasised the need to formulate the DPRs and consider best practices in other states while framing the DPRs.
Murmu directed the department that apart from taking up new works under various schemes, it should also focus on taking-up the works for upgradation and replacement of obsolete infrastructure immediately.
The Union MoS accepted to consider the demand of J&K for enhancement of allocated power share from the Ministry of Power through cheaper sources. J&K was accordingly asked to submit a comprehensive proposal for consideration of the Ministry of Power.
Powergrid recruits 13 engineers
Jammu, February 26
As many as13 engineers have been recruited from various branches of engineering (7) and 3 each from civil and electronics and communication during the campus recruitment drive organised by the Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (Powergrid), a ‘Maharatna’ Enterprise under the Ministry of Power.
Union Minister of State (I/C), Power and New and Renewable Energy and Minister of State,Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, RK Singh along with Lt-Governor of J&K UT, Girish Chandra Murmu gave the appointment letters to the newly recruited Trainee Assistant Engineers today. On completion of one year training, they will be placed as engineers in the corporation.
The campus recruitment programme is regularly conducted by POWERGRID in the National Institute of Technology (NIT), Srinagar, as a special initiative to encourage the youth in the UTs of J&K and Ladakh to avail better career opportunities for themselves. — TNS
