Amid dry weather, conditions, minimum temperature plummets in Kashmir

Srinagar, Dec 03: With no forecast of any wet spell in Kashmir till December 10, the night temperature has recorded a dip in the region on Sunday.

Officials in local Meteorological department told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO) that Gulmarg and Pahalgam were coldest at minus 3.6 degree Celsius and minus 2.4 degree Celsius respectively.

However, the mercury settled above freezing point at several places including Srinagar, the summer capital of Jammu and Kashmir where a minimum temperature of 1.4 degree Celsius was recorded.

In Kupwara, the mercury settled at 1.2 degree Celsius while in Kokernag a minimum temperature of 2.6 degree Celsius was recorded.

According to weatherman, the dry and cloudy weather conditions will continue till December 10—(KNO)

Adventure Awaits: Govt revamps Winter Tourism for record arrival, enhances facilities, prepares for series of festivals

Srinagar, Dec 02: The Jammu and Kashmir government is actively working to enhance winter tourism, aiming to stimulate the local economy by offering a blend of adventure and entertainment, encompassing winter sports and festivals, with the goal of attracting tourists to various destinations this winter

Speaking to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), a senior government official said that a comprehensive strategy has been devised for the winter season, designed to offer diverse services to tourists arriving from both within the country and abroad. “Our winter plan is underway, promising a fusion of adventure and entertainment through various offerings, including winter sports and festivals, at different destinations,” he said.

“In the upcoming weeks, numerous grand events are expected to take place at various tourist destinations across Kashmir, and preparations are currently underway,” the official added.

He added that the administration has been conducting meetings with essential stakeholders, including hoteliers, to guarantee a hassle-free experience for tourists in terms of basic facilities during the winter season.

“We’re elevating winter tourism to unprecedented heights this year. Connectivity challenges faced by many tourist resorts in Kashmir during winter have been substantially addressed. Anticipating a new record in winter tourism,” the official stated.

He further said that the roads leading to various tourist destinations, including Pahalgam, Doodhpathri, Gulmarg, Yusmarg, Bangus, Sonamarg, and other areas, have undergone refurbishment to ensure a smooth and pleasant experience for visitors.

Furthermore, in a bid to accommodate an increasing number of tourists, the government is actively enhancing Homestays across these destinations. “This initiative not only provides tourists with a cultural and environmental experience but also contributes to the local economy while ensuring ample accommodation for visitors,” he added.

As per data, in recent weeks, travel agents have noted a significant uptick of over 20 percent in bookings. This positive development the official said signals a prosperous winter season for Kashmir tourism, with anticipation that it may surpass previous records of arrivals.

“As Christmas and New Year approach, tourists are eager to celebrate both occasions in Kashmir, contributing to a steady increase in bookings with each passing day,” said the official.

Moreover, beyond these well-known winter tourist destinations, he said that the government intends to implement similar initiatives in districts with renowned tourist spots. Winter carnivals are slated to take place in these districts, aiming to promote these locales and elevate their status on the tourism map—(KNO)

Locally made electric blankets in good demand in Kashmir, say manufacturers

‘A cost-effective alternative to Kangri, Hamam, other heating gadgets’

Jahangeer Ganaie

Srinagar, Dec 02 (KNO): Locally made electric blankets are proving to be the best alternatives for traditional Kangri and these blankets are in good demand in Kashmir, say manufacturers.

They claim that the demand for these blankets increases with each passing year. “These blankets are capable of heating an entire room within a few minutes while using minimal energy,” Nasir Ahmad Bhat, who owns an electric blanket manufacturing unit ‘Dolphin Blankets’ at Rangreth Srinagar, told the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO).

More than two dozen units are manufacturing electric blankets in Kashmir. Nasir said the demand for such blankets has been on the rise as they have been receiving orders daily.

“This concept has a USA background where these blankets were made in the last century, and slowly it reached here,” Bhat said, adding that these heating blankets are being customised based on room size.

These blankets are cost-effective and affordable, he said, adding, “As smart meters have been installed, so the demand for conventional heaters that incur higher energy costs has gone down.”

A specialised heating element consisting of around 80 percent chromium and 20 percent nickel coated with Teflon for safety is being used for its manufacturing, Nisar said.

His unit manufactures both low and high-heat blankets. Both are quite safe,” he claimed. These blankets not only provide an alternative to traditional Kangri but also to Hamams.

He said these blankets are in good demand in other States as well and are supplied even outside India.

“Our blankets are cost-effective compared to other items that keep you warm in bone-chilling cold. The cost of a single blanket starts from Rs 750, while the price for a double blanket starts from Rs 1,500,” Nisar said.

“Our sales increase from October to February; however, demand goes up every year, and currently, 12 persons are earning their livelihood at our unit,” he said, adding that his unit produces around 100 single or 50 double blankets every day—(KNO)

KPDCL to frame criminal charges against consumers for power theft

Rs 85.24 cr revenue collected in last 10 days of Nov, 11k connections disconnected

Srinagar, Dec 02 (KNO): In an attempt to combat large-scale power pilferage and improve bill deposits by defaulting consumers, Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) conducted a whopping 10,465 inspections and disconnected over 11,000 consumers in the last 10 days of November 2023.

KPDCL also realized a revenue of Rs 85.24 crore, including power receipts, in the same period, with highest remittances of Rs 16.42 crore recorded on November 28 alone.

Sharing details, a KPDCL spokesperson confirmed rampant hooking of lines on bare conductor in metered areas and exceeding energy use beyond agreed load by flat-rated consumers across Kashmir Division. “During inspection overdrive, penalty of Rs.1.03 crore was imposed on consumers found involved in power theft across all 6 O&M Circles in last 10 days of November. As many as 995 connections were regularised and 2120 KW load added,” the spokesman said.

O&M Circle Ganderbal conducted the highest number of 2,945 inspections, followed by Circle Spore with 2,048, Circle II Srinagar 1,950, Pulwama 1,528, Bijbehara 1,004 and Circle I Srinagar 990.

Crediting KPDCL patrolling teams for moving out in sub-zero temperature to expose power pilferage, the spokesman shared details of 11,238 consumers disconnected in the last 10 days of November, who had pending energy dues exceeding three months. This included 7,828 domestic, 2,979 commercial and 346 industrial consumers.

The spokesperson assured the consumers of strict adherence to power curtailment schedule following additional allocation of power to UT of Jammu & Kashmir by the Central Government.

Emphasizing judicious use of power, KPDCL spokesperson also warned consumers to avoid hooking, bypassing of meters and exceeding overload, failing which KPDCL will file criminal charges under relevant provisions of the Electricity Act. “We will soon start sharing details of consumers who have pending energy dues in lakhs towards the organisation. We will also expose hookers who have the temerity to openly use power unauthorisedly,” he said. adding that FIRs will be lodged against those persons who physically assault KPDCL staff for performing official duties.

The spokesman also warned commercial consumers including hotels, malls and other business outlets who have been found involved in tampering with meters and have been caught red-handed by the Central Inspection Squad of KPDCL. “We have taken cognizance under law and penalised them. These penalties for power theft have been confirmed by the First Appellate Authority under Sections 126 & 127 of the Electricity Act. KPDCL will ensure the fines are deposited, otherwise we will act tough and initiate legal proceedings against them,” he said, adding the lists of all such defaulters is lying with KPDCL and will be made public soon.

Confirming positive outcomes of accelerated inspection and disconnection drives, KPDCL spokesman said such drives will continue which are aimed at preventing energy losses and enhancing revenue collection from defaulting consumers. “There have been many positive takeaways from such drives. This will help us in adhering to power curtailment schedule and extending comfort to the genuine consumers,” he assured.

Reiterating concern over the rate of damage to Domestic Transformers (DTs), the spokesperson urged the consumers to prevent overloading of DTs which puts entire habitations to great hardships during peak winter times. “We have maintained steady rate of replacing damaged transformers. Our teams at Central Workshop Pampore and divisional-level workshops are working 24X7 to repair damaged DTs and ensuring time-bound replacement,” he added—(KNO)