Reducing shutdowns

The adequate electricity to the consumers was a promise by the government in Jammu and Kashmir for the holy month of Ramadhan. The fluctuation was avoided by the concerned Power Development Department (PDD) in the month of fasting, but what landed the people in trouble were the frequent power shutdowns being announced by the Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) in the Valley. The power shutdowns are being announced on a regular basis in Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the Valley for different works. The necessity of the works is understood, but the timeliness to carry out the works has raised the questions amongst the local consumers, who are being forced to witness a day-long shutdown in the holy month of Ramadhan. The execution of such works amidst the government’s promise of ensuring adequate electricity at least for this month is putting a question mark over the seriousness of the administration with regard to ensuring relief to them. Such works should have been avoided for the next 15 days so that the consumers could have witnessed the better power facility this Ramadhan. The government needs to intervene into the matter at this crucial juncture and ensure that only much necessary works are executed in this month and delay the rest till the month of Ramadhan so that the frequent announcements of power shutdowns are reduced for the wellbeing of the consumers. It is the high time for the government to come up to the expectations of the people at this juncture and fulfill the promises done with them with regard to ensuring better power supply for the month of Ramadhan.