Unmetered Power Consumers Billed at Flat Rates, Omar Abdullah Tells Assembly | Kashmir Life

SRINAGAR: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday informed the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly that unmetered electricity consumers in the Union Territory are currently being billed on a flat-rate basis, in line with tariffs approved by the Jammu and Kashmir Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC).

Replying to a question raised by Budhal MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary on the electrification of villages in his constituency, the Chief Minister, who also holds the Power Department portfolio, said electricity connections are issued strictly under the JERC Supply Code Regulations, 2023, following mandatory field verification by the concerned staff.

He said inspection teams revise consumer load on the spot in cases where usage exceeds the sanctioned load, ensuring the process remains transparent and accountable.

The Chief Minister informed the House that electrification of un-electrified and partially electrified habitations, including tribal and non-tribal Morhas in Budhal constituency, is being carried out under the DA-JGUA scheme. He said the project, covering 275 habitations, was allotted to a private company on October 14, 2025, with completion targeted for October 2026.

He further said that to address shortcomings arising from temporary power arrangements, efforts are underway to strengthen the distribution network in Rajouri district under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS).

According to the Chief Minister, works are in progress on several 11 kV feeders, including replacement of low-tension bare conductors with aerial bunched cabling, augmentation of overloaded distribution transformers, and replacement of ageing transformers with energy-efficient units.

He added that these measures aim to ensure a safe, reliable and quality power supply to all habitations, including tribal areas, and said the Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL) is maintaining the 132 kV and 220 kV transmission network supplying electricity to Rajouri district.