District Administration, Rajouri Sunday launched an extensive drive for disconnection of illegal power connections, imposition of fine, enforcement of distribution norms and rationalization of the power supply.

The drive will continue across the district for next one month for providing a major relief to the general public and genuine consumers.

District Magistrate, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary convened a meeting of officials of power department including Superintending Engineer, Executive Engineers, AEEs, AEs, JEs and field officials following which extensive drive has been launched which will be monitored on daily basis.

The Department has also been asked for initiating metering of uncovered areas. On first day of drive a total of 38 inspections were conducted and Rs 87,728 fine realized.

Apart from this 15 connections were regularized which will augment revenue of department. As a result of this exercise 18.7 KW power saving has been added to distribution. FIRs will be lodged against defaulters and delinquent officials

Power Department has been directed to ensure effective grievance redressal, response to public demands and replacement of transformers on first come first serve basis.

A detailed review of power supply improvement in the district was also discussed and department has been directed to follow laid down guidelines for systems improvement and avoid the practice of distribution of poles without professional inputs which leads to wastage of state resources and a large number of areas still remain uncovered as more than 3000 electric poles are yet to be installed in district due to random distribution of poles.

Superintending Engineer EM&RE has been directed for time-bound plan to provide electricity in uncovered areas. Field officers have been directed to gear up revenue realization in wake of less than 25 percent revenue realization against the set target.

Earlier, on directions of Deputy Commissioner, an assessment of uncovered hamlets in the district was conducted.

SDMs, Tehsildars and SHOs have been directed to extend assistance to power department for disconnection of illegal domestic and commercial connections, removal of illegal motors installed, and taking stringent steps against power theft.

An action is also being initiated against field staff in view of poor revenue realization and a high number of illegal connections. It was also decided in the meeting that mechanism will be put in place for wages of need based workers as a part of maintenance as wages have not been paid for a long time.

Guest