Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Member of Parliament from Anantnag Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi on Thursday expressed concern over the plight of people in south Kashmir on the account of erratic power supply, asking the administration to ensure uninterrupted supply to the consumers in view of the ongoing Holy month of Ramzan.
Masoodi said the electricity is playing hide and seek with the consumers in the rural areas of Kashmir in particular the south Kashmir districts. “The unscheduled power outages have put the consumers to inconvenience particularly on Sahri, and Iftari timings. The working of local healthcare centers and other vital installations like water stations is also hindered due to the pesky electricity supply. The situation hasn’t improved since the onset of the holy month of Ramzan, rather it has aggravated,” he said asking the concerned department to ensure uninterrupted power supply to consumers particularly on Sahri, and Iftari timings.
“The electricity infrastructure in south Kashmir must be augmented to face the ever increasing demand,” he said adding, “Regrettably power transformers, polls, and conduction wires at various places haven’t received an overhaul since long putting them at greater risk during inclement weather. Much of the infrastructure that was affected due to the vagaries of weather during last winter season is yet to be restored.
The inevitability of constant upkeep and augmentation of power infrastructure in south Kashmir and for that matter in the entire Kashmir division is extremely necessitated due to the distinctive climatic conditions of the region. The concerned power development department should attune its response to the issues of power distribution in Kashmir to the vagaries of mountainous and temperate weather conditions.”
He further said, “Authorities should ensure availability of all essentials including kerosene, Sugar, Wheat, Rice at all places across the length and breadth of south Kashmir in view of the holy month of Ramzan.”(PTK)
