Face to Face with Dr. NIRMAL SINGH GovERNMENT has initiated massive reforms in power sector: Dy CM

Government has launched various schemes to strengthen the power infrastructure in the State. This was stated by Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh, while interacting exclusively with the Young Bites.
Here are the excerpts.
Vijay Gupta
VG: Winter season is on its peak and long power cuts are issue of concern, why”
NS: This is not true that power cuts are an issue of concern, we have adequate power supply, in respect of Jammu Division total unrestricted demand is 1350 MWs. On an average, peak load of the order of 1050-1100 MWs is being supplied while as the gap of 250 MWs is being met by implementation of curtailment programme except in industrial areas where the power is being supplied for 24 hours.
VG: Replacement and repairs of damaged transformers is a regular complaint in some areas, why?
NS: We are trying our best to replace the damaged transformers earliest, In the city areas the damaged distribution transformers are replaced on same day or within 24 hours. While, in rural areas the transformers are being replaced within 2 to 3 days and in case of distribution transformers of far-flung areas and more time may be taken due to manual carriage.
VG: Elerticification of villages is an old process, what is the progress till date?
NS: As per Census 2011, the total number of un-electrified villages in Jammu and Kashmir was 102 including 26 in Kashmir regions, 58 in Jammu region and 18 in Ladakh region. These are being covered for electrification under DDUGJY and RGGVY-II schemes, respectively.
To meet the Government of India’s timeline of December 2019, the department has decided to take up the electrification of 54 un-electrified villages through off-grid connectivity, as per the decision of State Level Standing Committee. The matter has been taken up with the Union Ministry of Power to electrify these villages through Solar off grid mode. The on-grid electrification works of these villages will be carried on simultaneously.
To meet the timeline, the department has taken up electrification of 84 un-electrified villages departmentally, while 18 other villages have been taken up by PGCIL.
VG: This is a very good decision of the government for regularizing the services of daily wagers, what is the present status?
NS: The government is committed to fulfill the needs of every employee, there are 13751 need based workers which include 7921 of Kashmir region, 361 of Ladakh region and 5469 of Jammu region have been cleared for regularization.
In district Budgam 282 workers were engaged on need basis and no worker has been regularized after 1st. March, 2017.