Flat-rate billing for unmetered consumers as per JERC tariff: CM

Jammu, Feb 10: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that un-metered consumers are presently being billed on a flat-rate basis in accordance with the tariff approved by the Jammu & Kashmir Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC).
The Chief Minister, who also holds the charge of the Power Department, said that electricity connections are issued strictly in line with the JERC Supply Code Regulations, 2023, after due field verification by the concerned staff.
“Inspection teams, when they find that a consumer is using more power than the load agreement with the Department, load revision is effected on the spot in a transparent and accountable manner,” he told the House.
The Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Budhal, Javaid Iqbal Choudhary, regarding the electrification of villages in his constituency.
In response, he stated that the electrification of un-electrified and partially electrified habitations/Morhas in Budhal Constituency, including both tribal and non-tribal areas, is being undertaken under the DA-JGUA scheme.
He informed that the works were allotted to a private limited company on October 14, 2025, and the scheme envisages coverage of 275 habitations in Budhal Constituency. The expected date of completion has been fixed as October 2026.
The Chief Minister further added that to address issues arising from temporary arrangements, sustained efforts are underway to strengthen and upgrade the power distribution network under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in District Rajouri.
“Works are presently in progress on various 11 kV feeders, with emphasis on replacement of LT bare conductors with AB cabling and new conductors, augmentation of overloaded distribution transformers, and replacement of old transformers with energy-efficient units,” he said.
These measures, he noted, are aimed at ensuring safe, reliable, and quality power supply to all habitations, including tribal areas. He also said that JKPCL is properly maintaining the 132 kV and 220 kV transmission network supplying power to Rajouri District.