Jammu, Nov 26: Jammu and Kashmir has achieved 40 per cent progress in the roll-out of smart electricity meters under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), with the installation of over 3.81 lakh devices across the Union Territory in more than a year, officials said.

The first phase of the project started in November 2020 with an initial target to install 20,000 meters in selected areas of Jammu and Srinagar cities, and it was eventually completed in 2022 with 1.5 lakh smart meters installed.

The second and third phases that began in 2024 with the cumulative target of over 9.50 lakh smart meter installations by 2026 are currently under implementation.

The progress report was shared at a meeting chaired by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo here. The chief secretary reviewed the reform measures being implemented by the Power Development Department (PDD) with a focus on enhancing operational efficiency, strengthening infrastructure and substantially reducing power losses under the RDSS.

According to officials, 3,81,671 smart meters were installed, registering 40 per cent installation of the total 9,50,755 lakh meters targeted across Jammu & Kashmir.

A division-wise breakup showed Jammu Power Development Corporation Limited (JPDCL) has installed 1,87,894 meters out of the total sanctioned 7,62,872 meters, while Kashmir Power Development Corporation Limited (KPDCL) installed 1,93,777 meters against the target of 7,27,855 meters, marking steady progress towards a transparent and consumer-friendly power distribution mechanism across J&K.

Officials said works worth Rs 4,709 crore under loss reduction and Rs 1,053 crore under smart metering are targeted for completion under RDSS.

The works have been divided into multiple packages and awarded to four project implementing agencies, including JPDCL, KPDCL, Powergrid Energy Services Limited (PESL), and National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), for their completion within deadlines, they said.

The progress in loss reduction and information technology and operational technology works stood at 74 per cent for JPDCL, 73 per cent for KPDCL, 57 per cent and 33 per cent for PESL in Kashmir and Jammu respectively, and 72 per cent and 31 per cent for NTPC, in these divisions.

The meeting was also informed that Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses have already been reduced from 58 per cent in 2022 to around 32 per cent at present, with a target to bring them down to 12 per cent by 2028, the officials said.

Similarly, the Average Cost of Supply (ACS) and Average Revenue Realized (ARR) gap has been reduced from Rs 3.11 to Rs 1.29 per unit, while billing efficiency has improved from 56 per cent to 69 per cent and collection efficiency from 75 per cent to 94 per cent, reflecting significant strides towards financial sustainability and operational efficiency in the power sector, the officials said.

Emphasising the need for strict adherence to the timelines, the chief secretary directed that all ongoing reform works aimed at loss reduction must be completed within the sunset period prescribed under RDSS by the Government of India.

He stressed on fixing daily and weekly targets for all components of loss reduction works, including LT cable replacement, augmentation and replacement of the distribution system, HT line cabling, replacement of HT conductors, feeder segregation and installation of electric poles.

He underlined the importance of improving feeder-wise billing and revenue collection efficiency and called for stringent action against officials found negligent or lax in discharging their responsibilities.

The chief secretary instructed the divisional commissioners of Jammu and Kashmir to conduct monthly reviews and identify field-level staff failing to perform.

Jammu, Nov 26: “For 76 years, the Constitution has been a beacon of equity, liberty and social justice and a guiding light for the citizens of this great country,” the Lieutenant Governor Shri Manoj Sinha said on Wednesday.

The Lieutenant Governor was speaking at the Constitution Day Celebrations in Jammu. He administered the reading of ‘Preamble to the Constitution’, and paid tributes to the founding fathers and architects of the Constitution of India.

In his address, the Lieutenant Governor called upon the policymakers, officers to uphold the values of the constitution and commit to protect and uphold the rights of Citizens.

“Our Constitution is venerable which has paved the way for India’s progress. We have to keep national unity and integrity intact. We must create the feeling of self-confidence and self-respect in the society and every means and resource has to be used to make India powerful and self-reliant,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor said, after a long wait of 67 years, provisions of the Constitution were made fully applicable to J&K in 2019, ending the rule of discrimination and injustice.

“Now J&K is moving ahead guided by ideals of equity, social and economic justice as enshrined in the Constitution by Baba Saheb Dr. Bhim Rao Ambedkar,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor stated that, from day one, his mission in J&K was to improve the lives of our citizens, to eradicate discrimination and injustice, eliminate the terror ecosystem and to make sure that the benefit of central schemes reaches the lowest strata of the society.

“Those who say what was achieved over the past 5 years? I want to tell them that the practice of rewarding separatists and torturing patriots has been stopped completely.

By implementation of all provisions of Constitution, Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi Ji has ensured honour, pride and dignity for every brother and sisters of J&K,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The UT-level event commemorating the 75 years of adoption of Constitution was organised by Department of Culture, in collaboration with the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs.

Hon’ble Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, Shri Abdul Rahim Rather; Additional Chief Secretary, Jal Shakti, Shri Shaleen Kabra; Additional Chief Secretary, Higher Education Department, Shri Shantmanu; Principal Secretary Culture, Shri Brij Mohan Sharma; Divisional Commissioner Jammu, Shri Ramesh Kumar; IGP Jammu, Shri Bhim Sen Tuti; Secretary,

Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Shri Achal Sethi, senior officials, prominent citizens and youth in large numbers attended the Constitution Day Celebrations.

Srinagar, Nov 26: Director school education Kashmir Naseer Ahmad Wani on Wednesday said that the government is actively considering measures for the transition of RET (Rehbar-e-Taleem) teachers whose posts were frozen.

“The government is thinking about what measures should be taken for de-freezing,” Wani said regarding the RET teacher transition. “Our feedback will go to the government. The orders of the government will be followed.”

On fee regulation and NCERT Books, DSEK said that the department’s teams at district and central levels are actively addressing complaints.

“Our orders are clear. You don’t have to worry,” the Director said. “We will do our work if there is any such violation in our notes. This is the mandate of the Fees Fixation Committee. They have issued orders in this. If anyone has any problem, they can contact them.”

Regarding NCERT books, he said that teams have been formed at the district level and at the central level as well and the books of NCRT are being read everywhere. “We are doing our work wherever we get complaints. We will have to compensate those who are responsible.”

The Director was speaking during Constitutional Day celebrations at a local school where he highlighted the importance of the occasion, adding that students and staff had participated with “great enthusiasm” in reading the preamble and other activities.(KNS)

Srinagar, Nov 26: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha extended greetings to the people on Constitution Day, emphasizing the commitment to uphold the values of justice, equality, and dignity enshrined in the Constitution.

LG Sinha saluted “visionary architects” of the Indian constitution whose ideas, he said, continue to Guide the nation.

In a post on X, the Office of LG J&K wrote, “Greetings to all on Constitution Day. We salute visionary architects of our Constitution whose ideals guide our nation. Let’s reaffirm our commitment to uphold values of justice and equality as enshrined in our Constitution and come together to pave the way for developed India.”

Pulwama, Nov 26: In a sustained effort to curb the menace of drug trafficking, Pulwama Police apprehended a drug peddler and recovered 16.5 kg of charas-like powder from his possession, officials said.

In a statement, a police spokesperson said that during naka checking at Newa Pulwama, a police party from Police Post Newa intercepted an individual identified as Rafiq Ahmad Shah S/o Bashir Ahmad Shah, R/o Newa Pulwama. Upon his personal search, 16.5 kilograms of Charas powder–like substance was recovered and seized on the spot as per legal formalities, following which the accused was arrested.

Accordingly, Case FIR No. 277/2025 under relevant sections of the NDPS Act has been registered at Police Station Pulwama, and further investigation is underway.

Pulwama Police reiterates its unwavering commitment to eliminating drug peddling from the district and urges the public to cooperate by sharing information related to drug abuse or trafficking in their areas.