Prevailing electricity schedule has to go

The time has come when the people across the Valley should heave a sigh of relief in terms of electricity schedule as the temperature has increased all across the Valley from the last couple of days. The power curtailments being done during the period of winters here in Kashmir continued to remain in force despite the culmination of 40 days’ harshest winter period, known as Chila-i-Kalan, which is followed by two more harsh winter period of 30 days. However, as the temperature has started increasing across the Valley, the curtailment schedule is witnessing no end, thus leaving the people to lurch at large. One fails to understand why the concerned department has not made any decision with regard to putting an end to the curtailments here, despite the end of winter season. It is obvious that the demand for electricity goes up during the winters, but to continue with the winter schedule plan has no justification amid the rise in the temperature. The continuation of the winter schedule comes at a time when the government has claimed to have augmented the power infrastructure in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Valley. As the infrastructure has been augmented, there is a need to bring some more respite to the consumers on the ground and put an end to the winter power schedule so that the people here could heave a sigh of relief. The time has come when the fresh electricity schedule has to be announced.