MLA releases CDF for power bank, calls JK power ministry a failure
People from different areas of Mendhar assembly segment of Poonch district raised serious concern over defunct state of affairs in Power Development Department, terming it a root cause of water scarcity in the area.
These people in the form of different deputations called upon Member Legislative Assembly Mendhar, Javed Rana in his office here in Mendhar.
They highlighted the problem being faced by population due to prolong power curtailment, both scheduled and unscheduled, and callous approach of Power Development Department.
After giving a patient hearing to the problem, lawmaker assured that he will personally take up the issue with Deputy Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir and the Chief Secretary.
Taking note of deepening power crisis in the Mendhar sub division, Rana also convened a meeting of Power Development Department officers and reviewed the functioning of department raising serious concern on present situation.
Rana also announced immediate release of five lakh rupees in Ist phase for setting up a transformer bank in Mendhar so that transformers can be kept in reserve for immediate replacement of those which get faulty in fields.
In a press statement issued after meeting the deputations, lawmaker took a dig at power ministry of Jammu and Kashmir state terming it a failure one.
“Functioning of Power Ministry of J&K in last two years is under strong criticism and one can gauge it’s failure from the state of affairs of department in areas like Mendhar ” Rana said.
Rana, while questioning serious approach of Government towards power sector, said that more than thirty crore rupees under PMRP and approximately same amount under Din Dayal Upadhay Grameen Jyoti Yojna for Mendhar is lying with Government for last two years but government has failed to utilise the same.
“The amount under PMRP and DDUGJY is quite much to bring immense betterment in power scenario of Mendhar but delay on the part of Government create suspicion on its seriousness for development of Mendhar ” Rana stated.
He added that hardly for five to eight hours in a day, Mendhar sub division is getting power supply and normal life is badly affected due to this with water supply schemes also coming to a standstill.
“Condition of PHE department was already unsatisfactory here but power curtailment has further made the situation worst as most of the lift water schemes are on standstill due to power crisis as machinery isn’t functional ” Rana said.
“Returning of power projects to state is a prolong demand and centre should take a call on it ” lawmaker demanded.
He also called for serious and constructive approach towards Indus Water Treaty besides demanding a transformer repairing workshop in Mendhar as defunct transformers are taken to Jammu for repairing and it takes more than three to four weeks for the transformer to get repaired.
KV Correspondent
