Jammu, Aug 31: A total of 22.5 lakh smart meters will be installed in Jammu and Kashmir to make sure that consumers get 24×7 power supply, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department (PDD), H Rajesh Prasad said on Thursday.
Prasad said that smart meters are need of the hour to bring down AT&C losses and to ensure 24×7 power supply to the consumers,
While responding to media queries, he said
smart meters have gone through various tests and are absolutely error free and no inflated bills are being served to the consumers.
“The J&K suffered losses to the tune of Rs 31,000 crores till August this year to purchase power,” Prasad said.
He said that power rates in J&K are among the lowest in the country but it is also a fact that AT&C losses in J&K are also highest in the country. “These Smart Meters are absolutely 100% accurate and the consumer will have to pay exactly as per the power consumed,” he said.
“J&K purchased 22,400 million units of power till March this year and suffered losses to the tune of Rs 31,000 crores,” the Principal Secretary said, while adding, “It is unsustainable”.
As per the directions of the Government of India (GOI), the States/UTs will now have to pay in advance for purchasing power. “There are 55% AT&C losses in J&K due to which there is heavy burden on the government as we have to pay in advance to purchase power,” Prasad said.
“The losses are due to power pilferage, hooking, no meters and other reasons. The smart meters are aimed at checking these things and ensuring 24×7 power supply to consumers,” he said.
