Kashmir’s power paucity merits concern: PDP

Srinagar: The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) on Friday termed the power scarcity in Kashmir valley as worrisome, stating that due to previous regimes ignoring the power sector reforms in the state, people are suffering the worst.

The party said the peoples’ woes due to the power paucity in valley, particularly during the peak winter months is deeply alarming and merits concern.

The PDP General Secretary, Peerzada Mansoor Hussain while addressing various peoples’ deputations at the party office here stated that PDP since the formation of the government in the state has been prioritizing its efforts to ensure consistent supply of electricity to the people of the state.

He added that the previous regimes in the state had ignored the reformation of the power sector in the state in such a ruthless way that the present scenario has been rendered as pathetic and worrying.

Mansoor said that the people shall have a major sigh of relief this year with emphasis on round the clock electricity as the transmission line having an estimated 1000Mws of power would be made functional. “We are looking forward to witness the new revolution in power sector as the Chief Minister is making hectic efforts to throw open the transmission line in October this year,” Mansoor said.

The PDP General Secretary further underscored the need for the return of the hydro-power projects from the NHPC, stating that such a measure is a long pending demand of PDP and that the government must pursue it rigorously.

“We are confident enough that the Chief Minister would thrust upon the GoI to return the power projects which were given to the NHPC as a goodwill gesture by the rulers of the past. The responsibility is now upon us to ensure people are accorded their due rights,” Mansoor said. (KNS)