Reforms in Power Sector
The government of Jammu and Kashmir has taken slew of measures to reform the power sector and due to the efforts on the ground, there is a visible change in the power scenario and now the government is on the path of self sufficiency in this sector.
In the year 2020, the J&K Government had constituted a four member task force on power sector reforms for implementation of the initiatives, schemes and relief measures under the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Abhiyan. The initiatives included Rs 90,000 Crore liquidity infusion to Distribution Companies (DISCOMS) as a concessional loan offering by Power Finance Corporation (PFC) & REC Limited; tariff policy reforms encompassing consumer rights, promotion of industry and sustainability of power sector and distribution reforms in power sector.
Reforms in the power sector were rolled out in the JK in 2019, with the formation of separate transmission and distribution corporations for Kashmir and Jammu divisions. Subsequently, the existing employees of the J&K government’s Power Development Department (PDD) were moved to these corporations.
New projects of 3300 MW have been planned which include: four projects of Kirthai II (930 MW), Sawlakote (1856 MW) ,Duhasti stage II (258 MW) and Uri-I stage II (240 MW) to be executed soon.
In a historic moment for energy sufficiency in Jammu and Kashmir, Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) were signed for implementation of much awaited Mega Hydro Power projects, including 850 MW Ratle HEP and 930 MW Kirthai-II HEP.
