By: Nasir Azam
Srinagar: The administration of Jammu & Kashmir has sought Rs 3400 crore from the Government of India for funding cost overun in different centrally-sponsored schemes in power sector.
As per official sources J&K’s Power Development Department (PDD) is vigorously pursuing the proposal with Union Power Ministry.
“The funding is required to meet increasing costs of schemes like Integrated Power Development Scheme(IPDS), Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana(DDUGJY) and Prime Minister’s Development Programme(PMDP) for Jammu & Kashmir,” they said.
They added that while these schemes are aimed at strengthening power transmission and distribution system in J&K, cost overuns due to various factors are hindering implementation.
An official said they have repeatedly taken up the matter with Central government.
“We have been raising this issue with Power Ministry in all meetings since last one year as we are not in a position to fund cost escalation from our resources. We are hopeful that the funding would be approved soon,” he said.
Under the PMDP, Rs 3790 crore have been earmarked for augmentation of infrastructure for distribution systems for capital cities and tourist destinations.
Apart from this, Rs 105 crore were kept for advance technology interventions like smart grids and smart meters.
It is worthwhile to mention that the government of Jammu & Kashmir will get Rs 4580 crore special term loan from Government of India for clearing power purchase liabilities.
Power Finance Corporation(PFC) and Rural Electrification Corporation(REC) have agreed to grant Rs 2290 crore each loan to J&K UT for clearing power purchase liabilities of different power generating companies like National Thermal Power Corporation Limited (NTPC), National Hydroelectric Power Corporation(NHPC) and others. —(KNO)