SRINAGAR: The government on Tuesday informed the Legislative Assembly that the Kashmir Valley did not experience any unscheduled power cuts during the last winter, despite a marked surge in electricity demand caused by heating requirements.
Replying to a question raised by National Conference MLA Abdul Majeed Larmi, the Power Minister said that although the Valley traditionally faces power shortages and erratic supply in winter, uninterrupted electricity was maintained throughout the previous season.
In a written response, the minister stated that the earlier practice of linking power curtailment to seasons — which had allowed greater curtailment in Jammu during summers and in Kashmir during winters — has now been discontinued.
He explained that scheduled curtailments are currently capped at zero, two, and four hours per day for essential or below 15 percent loss feeders, 15–40 percent loss feeders, and over 40 percent loss feeders respectively, across both divisions throughout the year.
The minister further clarified that no additional or distress cuts are authorised in Kashmir during winters or in Jammu during summers. “Any unavoidable distress cuts, necessitated by power availability constraints, shall only be applied in Jammu between October and March, and in Kashmir between April and September,” he added.
Highlighting reforms in the power department, the minister said that the previous system of increasing curtailment hours based on loss levels has been abolished. Instead, officers who fail to ensure proper billing or recovery of energy charges now face disciplinary action — a move that has enhanced accountability and efficiency.
“This policy shift has brought about a remarkable improvement in the recovery of power dues,” the minister concluded.
