Raja Syed Rather
Srinagar, Jul 12: The government on Wednesday said that the installation of smart meters have successfully assisted in reducing the Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses in Jammu and Kashmir, saying that the illegal hooking by the consumers have almost come to an end in the areas where the smart meters have been installed.
Managing Director, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Baseer Ul Haq Choudhary , said that the hooking system has been eliminated from the ground after the installation of smart meters.
“Finally, the measures taken by the government, especially the installation of smart meters has helped in putting an end to technical losses,” Choudhary said, adding that the system is not only beneficial for the KPDCL, but for the people too, who can pay now as per the usage only.
“The consumers had to pay the flat rate fixed by the government, even if they don’t use the electricity as per the charges, but now the consumer will be paying only what he has been using,” he said.
The Managing Director, KPDCL further said that the target to reduce the losses through hooking and other related things has been almost achieved.
Asked about the money spent on smart metering and cabling projects, he said the project is being implemented by the Government of India through different schemes like PMDP and RDSS.
“The schemes are presently going on and Rs 800 crore have been allotted for different contractors under the RDSS scheme for the works that are going on in Baramulla, two parts of Srinagar and Kupwara,” he said.
He added that more works are expected to be allotted soon.
Pertinently, the smart meters have been installed in several areas across Jammu and Kashmir while the protests continue to be witnessed, especially in Srinagar areas against the move.
