JAMMU, Jun 6: Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCI) Jammu President Arun Gupta has expressed serious concern over the frequent unscheduled and prolonged power cuts across the Jammu region, saying they are causing immense hardship to consumers during the ongoing hot and humid weather conditions.
In a press statement, Gupta said that even areas with 100 percent smart meter coverage are facing regular power outages despite government assurances of round-the-clock electricity supply after the installation of smart meters.
He stated that the erratic power supply is adversely affecting industrial production and small businesses, resulting in significant financial losses. Students are also facing difficulties in their studies, while essential services such as water supply are being severely impacted, causing inconvenience to residents.
Gupta further said that frequent power breakdowns and voltage fluctuations are damaging sensitive electronic appliances and increasing operational costs for commercial establishments, many of which are being forced to rely on diesel generators.
Urging the UT administration to intervene immediately, he called for regular and uninterrupted power supply during the summer season.
The CCI President also raised concerns over faulty smart meters, alleging that hundreds of meters have become non-functional due to erratic power supply. As a result, affected consumers are being billed on a flat-rate basis, often much higher than their actual consumption. He demanded immediate replacement of defective smart meters to prevent consumers from paying excess electricity charges.
Expressing concern over the slow progress of the underground electric cabling project in Jammu, Gupta said that despite being initiated years ago, the project remains incomplete in most areas. He noted that without a stable underground cabling network, smart meters remain vulnerable to voltage fluctuations associated with overhead power lines.
According to him, overhead electric lines continue to create safety concerns, cause service disruptions during adverse weather conditions, and contribute to higher distribution losses. He urged the Power Development Department to provide a concrete timeline for the completion of the project.
Commenting on reports regarding the proposed prepaid electricity billing system, Gupta said the government should first strengthen power infrastructure and ensure reliable 24×7 electricity supply before introducing any new billing mechanism.
He emphasized that consumers deserve quality power supply and robust infrastructure before being subjected to prepaid billing reforms.