LG inaugurates Rs 41 Cr- 20 power distribution projects at Bajalta
PM to preside launch of industrial investments in J&K next month
STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Inaugurating 20 Power distribution projects costing Rs 41 Cr at Bajalta, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinah on Tuesday said that these will address peak season shortage and ensure sustained economic activities.
Additional capacity augmentation will bridge the major gap in the electricity requirements of Jammu, Udhampur, Reasi, Poonch, Rajouri and adjoining areas, he added.
Our aim is to make the power department of J&K UT self-sustaining and reduce power theft which is proving to be cancer for this sector, the Lt Governor said.
‘Pray for sense to those questioning surgical strike’
Jammu: Lt Governor Manoj Sinha on Tuesday said India is proud of its armed forces and prayed for “good sense” to those questioning the surgical strike on terror camps in Pakistan in the aftermath of the 2019 Pulwama terror attack.
“There is no doubt about the bravery of the armed forces and they are enjoying respect for their work which they have done over 70-75 years. The whole country is proud of them,” the LG told reporters on the sidelines of a function here.
He was responding to a question about media reports that Telangana Chief Minister K Chandrasekhar Rao had said he would like to know the truth about the surgical strike. “God should give good sense to such people so that they have good opinions about the country and the Army,” Sinha said.
On protests and filing of objections by associate members over a draft proposal of the Delimitation Commission that was set up to redraw the assembly seats of the Union Territory, he said India is a democratic country where everyone is free to speak. “The Election Commission is a constitutional body and the Delimitation Commission works in accordance with the delimitation act enacted by Parliament. We have a democracy and a Constitution which gives everyone the freedom to speak,” he said. Sinha said that if the associate members have any objection, they should file it before the commission. The report will be out in public domain and if an ordinary person feels that there is a mistake, he should also raise his objection, the LG said. “This is the beauty of our democracy,” he said.
Sinha said the UT Government is working on detailed plans in a systematic manner for achieving reliable, quality, and sustainable power supply. We will generate 2500 MW additional electricity by 2024 to ensure energy security for the people of J&K UT, adding last year, 60 MW capacity augmentations were achieved in the region.
“By March 31 this year, additional 200 MW capacities will be added in our energy basket”, he further added.
I appeal to the people to help the administration in controlling theft, reducing wasteful consumption, cutting down losses and reporting the offenders to the authorities, added the Lt Governor.
It is the need of the hour to install smart meters to ensure that people of J&K get good quality & reliable power, address the needs of poor, rural areas, agriculture and industrial sector, and usher in an era of uninterrupted power supply.
Highlighting the remarkable progress attained by the UT in power sector, the Lt Governor observed that the unprecedented achievements in power generation, transmission & distribution sectors in the last one year have completely overhauled J&K’s power infrastructure which remained dilapidated for several decades.
The government is planning to invest Rs.12,000 Cr for capacity augmentation, upgrading the transmission and distribution systems to remove all supply constraints, strengthen electrification assets and deliver electricity through underground wires in the capital cities of Jammu & Srinagar.
We are addressing the shortage of infrastructure with renewed vigour with focus on inclusiveness and bridging divides. Our growth model has multi-dimensional objectives to produce a wide-spread flow of benefits, ensuring access to essential services for all sections and expansion of quality employment, said the Lt Governor.
For the first time in decades, the Government is focusing towards capacity augmentation of Grid Sub-stations in J&K, with augmentation work on 21 Sub-Stations completed last year and another 21 will be completed by 31 March, 2022. Work on upgradation of Gladni Grid sub-station which is considered as the Mother Grid station of Jammu division will also be completed by next month.
Moreover, 134 out of 188 sub-projects of power transmission and distribution have been completed and the remaining 54 are in the final stage of completion. New projects worth Rs 400 crore were started for strengthening the transmission sector, added the Lt Governor.
Sinha said Prime Minister Narendra Modi will preside over the groundbreaking ceremony of the launch of industrial investments worth 20,000 to 25,000 crore rupees here next month.
He sought cooperation of the people to the efforts of his administration to usher a new dawn of peace, prosperity and development under the leadership of Modi in the Union Territory.
Someday back, I have requested the Prime Minister to preside over the groundbreaking ceremony of the launch of industrial investment to the tune of Rs 20,000 crore to Rs 25,000 crore. He has asked us to complete the formalities and expressed willingness to be among the people of Jammu and Kashmir to preside over the function by March, the Lt Governor said.
Lauding the Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the industrial investment scheme for Jammu and Kashmir, he said an industrial investment worth Rs 25,000 crore was expected but the scheme is such that we are confident that there will be an investment of over Rs 70,000 crore in the next couple of years for which we need electricity and land.
He said the government land available with the industries department is being allotted to investors who have deposited the fee and submitted the detailed project reports and the process is likely to be completed by February 20 in the run up to the groundbreaking industrial investment ceremony.
A new dawn will usher in J&K under the leadership of Prime Minister the industrialists have shown their interest and a lot of jobs will be generated. We have made necessary changes in our laws while Rs 1 lakh crore worth road and tunnel projects are in progress to provide modern infrastructure, he said.
Seeking cooperation of all sections of the society, he said, “You have to support the government efforts to make the atmosphere conducive. I assure you of economic development, progress and social justice”.
He said the government is fulfilling the aspirations of all sections of the society and I am saying it with confidence that we are moving forward to ensure accountability, transparency and responsive administration.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has laid a solid foundation for a better future, rapid economic and sustainable growth of Jammu and Kashmir, the Lt Governor said.
The present dispensation with its citizen-centric policies and reforms in every sector has empowered the people of the UT. We have also changed the Land use policy to empower farmers. Gair Mumkin Khad land issue has been resolved to benefit the people of the UT, the Lt Governor further added.
The Lt Governor congratulated the officials of the Power Development Department, and the people of the region for the new power projects.
Bharat Bhushan, DDC Chairperson Jammu, while speaking on the occasion, hailed the UT Government for working in a focused manner to ensure sustainable growth and development of every sector.
Nitishwar Kumar, Principal Secretary to Lt Governor and Principal Secretary, Power Development Department made his valuable remarks on the newly inaugurated power projects.
Shiv Anant Tayal, Managing Director, JPDCL presented the Vote of Thanks.
The power distribution projects under Centrally Sponsored Schemes inaugurated today includes new 33/11 KV Sub stations at Bajalta, Rajinder Nagar, Nardani & Kishanpur Kathar and installation of additional power transformers at Bhalwal & Tanda in Jammu; 33/11 KV Sub-station at Harni and installation of additional power transformers at Surankote & Jaran Wali Gali, Poonch; Installation of additional power transformers at Sunderbani, Kangri, Dhanwan, Mogla, Kotranka & Nowshera and augmentation of Sub-station Dangri , Rajouri; 33/11 KV Sub stations at Majalta & Kud and augmentation of Sub-station Jakhani, Udhampur and 33/11 KV Sub-station at Dadua, Reasi.
Mukesh Singh, ADGP Jammu; Dr RP Singh, Chairman JKPCL; Jagmohan Sharma, Chairman JPDCL; DDC members, Chief Engineers and officials of PDD, besides people from different walks of life attended the inaugural ceremony.