PDD embarks on power project on 8-yr-old data, falters

Srinagar: The Power Development Department, responsible for all functions related to transmission and distribution of electric power in the state, has faltered big time after it undertook a rural electrification project under the Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) based on 2003 data. As per report in Committee On Estimates, tabled recently in the state legislative assembly, all the villages/hamlets were to be fully covered under RGGVY scheme, kept in 10th plan, by 2012.“However, the proposed targets could not be achieved within the stipulated period of the time because of the fact that the project was envisaged initially on the data based on the reason and figures for the year 2002-03. Thereafter, the ground situation changed enormously during the preceding year as new villages/hamlets came into existence with the result 100% targets could not be achieved under the scheme,” the commissioner secretary to government, PDD says in reply to a query about the RGGVY scheme by the chairman of 12-member Committee on Estates, Mohammad Ramzan.  Under the RGGVY 90% grant is provided by Government of India and 10% as loan by REC (Rural Electrification Corporation) to the State Governments.Moreover, the commissioner secretary says, the project cost at the time of its formulation was Rs 6.37 crores for 14 projects in all and the NHPC was asked to accomplish the job. “But it could not do so because of the militancy and the difficult terrains of the state.”Consequently, he says, some softer areas like Srinagar and Budgam from Kashmir region and Kuthua of Jammu region and Leh and Kargil in Ladakh were taken up under the scheme. “Moreover, it was decided that all the works projected in 10th plan would be executed on contract basis and three projects—Kupwara, Kuthua and Udhampur were to be executed under this scheme.”The project cost to the tune of Rs 6.37 crores ultimately got enhanced to Rs 70.55 crores. “Thereafter, the department faced some inter-District problems as the two major projects—Nemo  Bazno in Leh and Chutuk in kargil districts were not originally kept in PMRP, but the foundation stones were laid by the prime Minister of India and as such it was prioritized as per commitments vis-à-vis the aspirations of the Hon’ble members.”Accordingly, Rs 442 crores against Rs 66 crores earmarked for Ladakh under REC were released for Ladakh region alone and the remaining amount of Rs 570 crores for all other districts of the state which automatically resulted in a reduction of 40% to 50 %, says the commissioner secretary to government PDD. “Against Rs 442 crores, Rs 379 only 230 crores were released.” Out of which about 32% and 75% respectively stands utilized.” Hence the department underline three factors—change in original DPRs (because of the coming into existence new habitations and growth in population), difficult terrains of the State and the big chunk of the funds released  for two main two main projects in Ladakh—contributed to non-achievement of the 100 % result under REC in the state.