Piyush Goyal discusses J-K power situation with Sayeed

Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal today called on Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed here and discussed the power situation in the state.
"Union Minister of State with independent charge for Power, Coal and New and Renewable Energy, Piyush Goyal, called on the chief minister here this morning," a spokesperson said.
Raising the matter of taking effective steps in reducing power distribution and transmission losses, considered to be the weakest link in the sector, Sayeed told Goyal that quality and affordable power to the state consumers would be his government's top priority.
Goyal assured Sayeed of Centre's support in reducing transmission and distribution losses through a speedy and time-bound implementation of a comprehensive programme of strengthening the transmission network, the spokesperson said.

He requested nominating a nodal officer who would coordinate with the union power ministry on various aspects relating to the transmission system.
Stating that losses caused to the state on account of Indus Water Treaty were enormous, the chief minister called upon fast-tracking of Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana and R-APDRP, the two central government schemes, aimed at providing continuous power supply to all homes in rural and urban areas.

Sayeed observed that power sector is a key area which can transform the state and provide fillip to its economic development.
He requested the power minister to expedite work on the completion of Leh-Kargil-Srinagar transmission line, which, he said, will go a long way in augmenting power scenario in the state.

On the issue of underground cabling of power lines in Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Patnitop, the union minister assured the chief minister of considering the proposal under Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS), once a DPR is submitted by the state government.
For promoting convention tourism in the state, Goyal also indicated that he would direct the PSUs falling within the domain of his ministry to hold their board meetings at the picturesque resort of Gulmarg in north Kashmir.
Goyal, accompanied by a central team, will be holding discussions with Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who holds the portfolio of power development department, on various aspects related to generation, distribution and transmission, so as to realise on ground 24x7 power programme of the government, the spokesperson said.