KPDCL to disconnect electricity of smart-meter subscribers for not switching to prepaid mode

SRINAGAR: Power department has decided to disconnect the electric supply to those smart-meter subscribers who do not shift to pre-paid mode.

Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) has told people to convert their postpaid connections into prepaid mode by this month only.

“The deadline was this month. But we are cooperative and accommodating. We have given time to consumers. We have told them to convert as soon as possible,” Javed Yousuf Dar, Chief Engineer, KPDCL, told The Kashmir Monitor.

After the deadline, the government is planning to disconnect the electricity connections of all those who fail to shift to prepaid mode. “We may go for disconnection in a few days. If people will not convert to prepaid mode, we will disconnect their power connection,” he said.

Dar said they have launched a massive campaign to make people aware of the conversion to prepaid mode. “We have given ads in newspapers. We have distributed videos. We have set up help lines. If still people face problems, they can visit the subdivision office. Our officials will help them to shift to prepaid mode,” he said.

Official figures reveal that around 55000 smart-meter subscribers shall have to shift to the prepaid billing mode. “So far only 15000 have converted to prepaid mode. There is a gap and that is why we have given them time. But they should convert their connection into prepaid mode as early as possible to avoid disconnection,” said Dar.

KPDCL has set a target of installing 1.4 lakh smart meters in the valley. So far 55,000 have been installed. In the second phase, the rest of the smart meters will be installed. “We will complete the second phase in September,” he said.

Official figures reveal that Jammu and Kashmir spent Rs 6317 crore on power purchases in 2020-21. In 2019-20, Rs 6072 crore were spent on power bills. In 2018-19, power worth Rs 6058 crore was purchased in Jammu and Kashmir.  The government only realized revenue of Rs 2600 crore from consumers.

In 2021-22, the local power generation was 14721.5221 lakh units. In 2020-21, the generation was 51257.62 lakh units. Likewise, the local generation in 2019-20 was 54532.034 lakh units

Jammu and Kashmir government has decided to disconnect the electricity of the defaulters. “There will be disconnections of those who will not pay,” said an officer.