Srinagar, June 22: Jammu and Kashmir government has sanctioned Rs 401 crore for undertaking several reformatory measures aimed at improving the power scenario of the state in a phased manner, power minister Mohammed Sharief Naiz said today. In order to improve the power scenario, Rs 401 crore has been sanctioned under Accelerated Power Development and Reforms Programme (APDRP), Naiz said.

In the first phase under APDRP, Rs 20 crore will be spent on Srinagar and Budgam districts of Kashmir region and Jammu district of Jammu division.

Leh and Kargil districts of Ladakh region would also be brought under the purview of APDRP for which, he said, a comprehensive project of rs.52 crore was awaiting approval of the state cabinet.

In order to curb power pilferage and to ensure transparency in maintenance of electric lines, upgradation of distribution system and to provide uninterrupted power supply to the people, the government has decided to constitute locality-wise monitoring cells (LWMC) involving local people and NGOs.

The cells would be empowered to go through several complaints like mismanagement, over charging of power tariff besides creating awareness among the people for judicious and need based use of electricity.
Bureau Report