Power demand increases by nearly ‘80 MWs’ in Ramadhan

Generation takes a jump post rainfall, Lower Jhelum produces nearly 90 MWs

Srinagar, Mar 05 (KNO): In Kashmir valley, the power demand has increased by nearly 80 Megawatts (MWs) in the ongoing holy month of Ramadhan during peak hours.

A top official of Power Development Development (PDD) informed the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that the power demand has increased from the past four days by nearly 80 MWs in comparison to previous month.

The official said, “As of now in Ramadhan, the power supply and demand is touching at least 1900 MWs. Yesterday, we delivered over 1900 MWs of power.”

“On an average, there used to be a peak power demand of 1800 MWs in the previous month, but in ongoing Ramadhan the power demand is much higher,” the official said.

The official further added, “Currently, the power demand in Kashmir valley has increased by nearly 80 MWs. The power demand however fluctuates and is not below the 1900 MWs.”

On asking about the power generation, the official said, “Power generation has slightly increased due to the recent rainfall.”

“As of now, the lower Jhelum power plant in Kashmir region is producing 90 MWs on an average,” the official said.

Pertinently, KNO in previous week reported that Jammu and Kashmir is currently relying on more than 85 percent of coal and solar power amid acute deficit of hydro power generation.

Officials of PDD department had claimed that local hydro power generation from the local power plants have reduced by nearly 90 percent.

An official had informed that “At present Jammu and Kashmir is 85-90 percent dependent on coal and solar energy that is being procured from the other states because as of now we don’t have a local power generation.”

“In winters the local hydro power generation of Jammu and Kashmir power plants has reduced by almost 90 percent and in order to cater the requisite power demand, we need to have a base power availability that we procure from outside states. The energy is coal based energy,” the official had said—(KNO)

Restore July 31, December 5 Holidays, Shift Jailed Youth Back to J&K: PDP MLA Waheed Parra

Jammu, Mar 5: Member legislative Assembly Waheed Parra on Tuesday demanded the restoration of public holidays on July 31 and December 5 in Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking in the J&K Assembly Waheed as per news agency JKNS urged the government to transfer Kashmiri youth, currently imprisoned in jails outside the Union Territory, to local prisons.

“The holidays on July 31 and December 5 should be restored. Also, Kashmiri youth detained outside J&K must be shifted back to local jails so that their families don’t suffer,” Parra said, as per news agency JKNS.

Citing his own experience of facing two UAPA cases, he highlighted the hardships endured by detainees and their families due to incarceration outside J&K. His demand was backed by People’s Conference chief Sajad Lone, who sought support from a National Conference MLA on the issue. (JKNS)

Amarnath 2025 to commence from July 03

Srinagar, Mar 05 JKNS:- The Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has officially announced that the Amarnath Yatra for 2025 will commence on July 3 and conclude on August 19.

This annual pilgrimage to the sacred Amarnath Cave, located in the Kashmir Himalayas, attracts thousands of devotees who come to pay homage to Lord Shiva.

An official told news agency JKNS that registration for the Yatra is mandatory for all pilgrims and is conducted on a first-come, first-served basis.

” Each applicant must submit a duly filled application form along with a Compulsory Health Certificate (CHC) issued by authorized medical institutions. The registration fee is ₹150 per person.” He said.

“Specific dates for the commencement of the registration process will be announced by the SASB in due course.” He said.

For pilgrims seeking a quicker journey, helicopter services are available from Baltal and Pahalgam to Panjtarni, which is a short distance from the Holy Cave,he said.

He added that details regarding helicopter bookings, including dates and procedures, will be updated on the official SASB website.—(JKNS)

32474 posts vacant in departments: J&K Govt

Only 3727 posts referred to SSB, PSC in last 4 month; Rs 14 crore collected as fee from aspirants

Jammu, Mar 04: The Jammu & Kashmir Government on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that a staggering 32,474 posts are lying vacant across different departments in Jammu & Kashmir.

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In a written response to a question of MLA Handwara, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who happens to be Minister in-charge, General Administration Department, said that 32474 posts are vacant in different departments as on January 31, 2025.

Of these, 2,503 are gazetted posts, 19,214 are non-gazetted posts, and 10,757 are multi-tasking staff positions, the CM said.

The highest number of posts are vacant in the Health Department, with 7,851 vacancies.

It is followed by the Health & Medical Education department and Animal & Sheep Husbandry Department with 3759 and 2589 vacancies, respectively.

According to the reply, there are 2517 vacancies in the Industries & Commerce Department and 2420 in Housing & Urban Development Department.

In the past four months, the Government informed that 3727 vacancies have been referred to Public Service Commission and Services Selection Board since October 16, 2024, the day when Omar Abdullah-led government took oath.

Of these, 738 are gazetted posts, 1754 non-gazetted posts and 1235 multi-tasking slots.

The Government also revealed that it has no proposal to make job application forms free for job aspirants.

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“Presently, no such proposal is under consideration in the Government,” it said.

In the past four months, the government revealed that it has collected Rs 14. 17 crore examination fee from students appearing in recruiting tests conducted by SSB and PSC.

In its election manifesto for last year’s assembly polls, the National Conference had promised to make job application forms free for all the examinations.

“The job application will be made free for all the examinations,” the party had promised in its manifesto—(KNO)