26000 smart meter users switch to prepaid mode so far: Chief Engineer KPDCL

‘Process going on, 2nd phase to be started from next month, cabling work being done simultaneously’

Owais Gul

Srinagar, Sep 04 (KNO): Amid the installation of smart meters across the Valley, the government on Monday said that at least 26000 consumers have switched to prepaid mode so far in the valley.

“The process to switch the smart meters into prepaid mode has already started for those whose smart meters have been installed in the phase-I. We have crossed about 26000 smart meters so far,” Javaid Yousf Dar, Chief Engineer, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

He said that the process is going on gradually and all the consumers will have to switch the smart meters into prepaid mode.

Asked when the smart meters installed in the second phase will be switched to prepaid mode, KPDCL Chief Engineer said that at present the integration process is going and the smart meters will be switched into prepaid mode once the integration process is completed. “It will hopefully be started from next month,” he said.

Earlier in July this year, the Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) had directed over 57,000 smart electricity meter users to switch from postpaid to the prepaid mode to keep receiving electricity. Else, their connections would be cut off.

About installation of smart meters, the KPDCL Chief Engineer, said that the process is going on and will take almost one or two years more to complete.

Amidst the installation of smart meters, the KPDCL Chief Engineer, told KNO that the cabling work is also being done simultaneously. “In many areas, not only in Srinagar but in towns too, the new cabling work has been done and furthermore, the process is still going on,” he added—(KNO)

Pre-Lok Sabha elections, Democracy Process & Statehood unlikely to be restored in J&K: Shiv Sena

Narrative of Art 370 falls flat, delay equals significant loss: Sahni

JAMMU: There seems to be no possibility of holding Assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir before the upcoming Lok Sabha elections, which is mainly due to the diminishing popularity of the BJP leaders in the state. It is certain that the longer the delay in elections, the bigger the defeat will be.
The slogan of ‘One Nation, One Election’ is also not likely to be effective in Jammu and Kashmir, said Manish Sahni, President Shiv Sena J&K unit.
Addressing a press conference held at Party’s state central office today, Sahni said that the central government is not providing any positive indications for the restoration of democratic process and statehood in Jammu and Kashmir, thus indicating that the restoration of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir does not seem feasible in the near future. The main reason for this is the decreasing popularity of the BJP leaders in the state, he added.
Sahni said that the BJP’s “One Nation, One Election” campaign is not working to eliminate the anger of the people towards the state leaders. He mentioned that even the High Court has taken serious note of the delay in the restoration of democratic process in Jammu and Kashmir and had questioned the central government. In response, the Modi government has shifted all responsibility to the Election Commission. While it is no secret who the Election Commission works under, the central government has also not provided any specific timeline for the restoration of full statehood.
Sahni stated the ground reality is that the BJP has lost the trust of the people in Jammu and Kashmir. Since the abrogation of Article 370, there has been no significant improvement in the ground situation, and in such a scenario, the BJP wants to keep its narrative on Article 370 strong until the Lok Sabha elections.
Sahni mentioned that even the municipal elections in Jammu and Kashmir can be postponed along with the Assembly elections. There have been serious discrepancies found in the voter lists of ward-level bodies and panchayat elections in the state. The Election Commission has revised the schedule for the publication of the voters’ list in Jammu and Kashmir on November 25 as the final date.
Sahni said that the BJP is trying out new strategies to postpone the elections, sensing the anger of the people, and the longer the delay in elections, the bigger the defeat will be.
On this occasion, the President of the Women’s Wing, Meenakshi Chhibbar, chairman Rakesh Gupta, General Secretary Vikas Bakshi, Vice Presidents , Sanjeev Kohli, Mamta Devi , Prabhari Ashwani Prabhakar, Sanjeev Sharma were present.