SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) has been keenly observing and assessing the critically erratic electric power supply in large areas of the valley for quite some time.
“It is adversely affecting the trade, business industry and households in general,” the KCCI said in a statement.
The Chamber expresses its grave concern and disappointment over the contradictory policies of the KPDCL in ensuring regular power supply to the consumers.
“The department, while starting the process of fixing smart metres in the valley areas, had committed to uninterrupted and flawless electric supply to the consumers. However, on ground it has proved to the contrary .The power situation has only worsened, with consumers not even spared during the month of Ramadan resulting in tremendous hardship to consumers,” it said.
“The KCCI expresses Shock over the reports received from many areas which are experiencing 12 or more hours of shutdown. The KPDCL has no explanation, whatsoever . The continued shutdown even with the onset of summer, with rivers overflowing with water, is not only astonishing but baffling too,” it added.
“The people are hugely suffering. The tourism sector is worst hit with long hours of power shutdown. The Tourists too are facing the brunt of poor power supply. The Government has been tirelessly making tourism promotional campaigns across the country and abroad but the same are nullified due to the thoughtless planning and incompetent performance of KPDCL,” it added.
“The travel trade has been receiving a large number of cancellations on account of power situations . The news of the erratic power situation prevailing in the valley has travelled to other parts of the country like wild fire resulting in cancellations of their Kashmir trip, hotel and other bookings subjecting stakeholders to considerable loss,” it said.
“It appears the Department is continuously failing in meeting the aspiration of the consumers and is not able to explain the reasons for the Department’s failure. The KCCI would seek Lt Governor’s intervention for appointing a fact finding Committee to pinpoint the faulty links that lead to the miseries of the consumers particularly the Senior Citizen, Sick, students, Health, Education, Industries, Tourism Sector and industry,” it said.
