Shopian/ Anantnag: Power scenario in four districts of South Kashmir is a dismal one as most of the villages and towns in Anantnag, Pulwama, Shopian and Kulgam hardly see electricity, especially during evening hours.

Almost 250 villages of twin Districts of Shopian and Kulgam get only two hours of electricity in a day. These villages receive supply from Lundoora receiving station in Shopian.

Sohail khan, a 12th class student said poor supply of electricity is directly affecting studies of student community. Our exams are going on but the hide and seek of electricity distract us from our studies,” he said.

 “I don’t understand what is going wrong for the Power Development Department (PDD) as after every five minutes the electricity disappears,” he added.

Echoing the remarks of Sohail, Gulam Mohammad Malik (45), a resident of Ratnipora said that there is no accountability for the PDD department and there is no justification for them to raise bills on account of electricity which has not been provided by the department.

In Anantnag, the power scenario underwent a sea change as the civil secretariat moved to Jammu for winter months.

Soon after Durbar moved on October 28, most areas in district are reeling under darkness the residents of the main town of Anantnag, its outskirts and other villages are facing a tough time under darkness amid the growing cold, locals alleged.

The situation is no different in most of the areas in district Kulgam where the electricity is giving nightmares to the general public.

“The PDD is taking the villages of Dilagam, Kadipora, Mattan, Krangsoo including main town Anantnag as for granted. People have to face prolonged power cuts everywhere,” Khursheed Ahmad, a resident said.

While common consumers including students from both districts of Anantnag and Kulgam are bearing the brunt of the unscheduled power cuts, the crisis has hit even the traders mostly.

The residents of  Anchidora, Anzawalla, Aang, Matipora, Nanil, and other areas of  Dochni Pora of Anantnag said that meters were installed in these localities by PDD with the promise that the consumers in metered areas will get round the clock electricity but the unscheduled power cuts belied the promise.

 “We are paying commercial tariff but unfortunately PDD is resorting to unscheduled power cuts. If the problem persists we will be forced to take the extreme step of stopping payment of power dues,” the residents threatened.

 “The situation in hilly villages of Anantnag is worse with local residents having to reel in darkness for hours,” they added. (Kashmir Wire)

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