Transmission losses, power thefts highest in J&K

Jammu, April 3 (IANS) Power-starved Jammu and Kashmir suffers the highest electricity transmission and distribution (T&D) losses and thefts in the country, said a report of the Committee on Public Undertakings 2012-2013, submitted Wednesday.

The report was submitted to the legislative assembly in Jammu.

“The state has been sustaining loss of about Rs.600 crore due to T&D losses, power theft and infrastructural damage every year. These losses are highest in the country,” the report said.

T&D losses are caused in the process of transmission of electricity from generation-end to the consumer. A large part of these losses are technical in nature. However, faulty meters and power theft have also resulted in commercial losses.

Jammu and Kashmir had 58.5 percent T&D losses in 2011-12, which is highest in the country. These losses were 61.9 percent in the year 2007-08.

Puducherry sustains lowest T&D losses, at 13.5 percent.

Jammu and Kashmir requires 2,400 MW of power, of which only 1,400 MW is available. There is a shortfall of 1,000 MW. The state purchased power worth Rs.3,600 crore in the year 2011-12, against which the sales revenue generated was Rs.1,200 crore only.

The committee has also shown concern over the “poor electric infrastructure and power supply in the far flung/remote rural areas of the state,” and asked the department to explain the reasons for partial implementation of the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY).

The principal secretary of the power development department told the committee: “RGGVY got badly affected due to paucity of funds.”

The committee directed the department to take necessary steps to check T&D losses and power thefts.

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