LG Takes Note Of Delay In Tendering Power Projects

Directs Officers To Fix Responsibility, Take Action For Non-Compliances

SRINAGAR: Taking strong note of the delays in tendering and awarding of power projects, Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha on Thursday directed officials to fix responsibility and take strict action for the non-compliances.

Chairing the third high level meeting with the team of experts from Power sector, senior administration officials and Power Development Corporation Limited to revamp the Power Supply System in J&K, here at Raj Bhavan on Thursday, the LG directed the concerned officers to increase the pace of works undertaken to ensure mitigation of power-related issues to the people of Jammu and Kashmir, an official spokesperson said.

The LG, he said, passed strict instructions to remove all bottlenecks and hurdles that impede the timely completion of augmentation and restoration works of various power projects.

“While taking a strong note of the delays in tendering and awarding of projects, the Lt Governor asked the concerned officers to fix responsibility and take strict action for the noncompliances.

He also directed for initiating an inquiry in the erring matters and submit the report at the earliest,” he said.

In order to speed up the works on different power projects, Sinha, as per the official spokesperson directed the concerned to come up with a policy framework for procurement of spares and inventory, and directed them to conduct an auction of the scrap and discarded items.

The official spokesperson said that a detailed PowerPoint presentation was given on “Updated status & Next steps” and discussion was also held for immediate focus on Jammu division for ensuring adequate supply in the coming summers.

He said that the LG asked the Power Development Department to complete the digitization work in the power sector on priority for its smooth functioning.

“The meeting also discussed the identified immediate or short-term focus areas with respect to the augmentation of existing 220kv level Grid Stations, 132kv level Grid Stations, augmentation of transfer capacity of 220kv and 132kv transmission lines, besides completion of transmission lines long delayed on account of legal, arbitration and ROW issues,” he said.

As per the official spokesperson, the LG was also informed that several site visits were carried out by the officers to get first-hand review of the projects taken up to revamp power sector in the region.

“The meeting discussed the creation of new Sub-stations, progress on up-gradation of old and obsolete Distribution Infrastructure, Spares & Inventory and Centrally Sponsored Projects like Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, (DDUGY), PMDP, RAPDRP, RGGVY, IPDS, and other schemes undertaken in PDD sector,” he said.

“The meeting was also informed about the status of restructuring and unbundling of JKPDD, JKSPDCL & JKSPTCL besides, the appointment of Administrative Secretary & Director (Finance) on the boards of JKPTCL,

KPDCL, JPDCL; appointment of MD for the new corporation, etc,” he added.

The meeting was attended by BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; Arun Kumar Mehta, Financial Commissioner, Finance Department; Rohit Kansal, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department; Dr. R.P. Singh, Ex. CMD, PGCIL; chairmen of KPDCL, JKPTCL, JPDCL, and other experts of power sector.