Srinagar, Sep 28: Government and semi-government departments are the biggest category of electricity defaulters in Jammu and Kashmir, accounting for Rs 3,155.69 crore, or nearly 46 per cent, of the total Rs 6,870.15 crore in unpaid electricity bills recoverable from commercial, industrial, government and security-force consumers.

The figures have been disclosed by the Power Development Department (PDD) in a written reply to a starred question raised by MLA Hasnain Masoodi in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly regarding the recovery of unpaid electricity arrears.

According to the category-wise breakup provided by the government, commercial consumers owe Rs 1,833.60 crore, while industrial consumers have outstanding dues of Rs 1,005.89 crore.

Government and semi-government departments have the highest outstanding amount at Rs 3,155.69 crore, while security forces and installations owe Rs 874.97 crore.

The combined outstanding recoverable dues across all four categories stand at Rs 6,870.15 crore.
On the steps being taken to recover the arrears and the number of connections disconnected in pursuit of recovery, the government said DISCOMs have undertaken sustained measures through systematic monitoring of outstanding electricity dues, issuance of demand and payment notices to defaulting consumers, regular follow-ups for recovery of outstanding dues and enforcement of disconnection of supply in cases of persistent default, in accordance with applicable rules, regulations and prescribed procedures.

The government said disconnection of electricity supply for non-payment of dues is an ongoing enforcement measure undertaken by the concerned field formations wherever warranted, after following the prescribed procedure.

Supply is restored to consumers upon payment of the requisite outstanding dues and completion of the prescribed reconnection formalities, the reply stated.

The PDD also provided category-wise figures for electricity connections disconnected during the previous and current financial years.

During FY 2025-26, a total of 88,387 connections were disconnected across the categories listed in the reply. Of these, 84,818 were commercial connections, 3,167 were industrial connections and 402 belonged to government/semi-government departments.

During FY 2026-27, 50,226 connections have been disconnected so far. These include 48,283 commercial connections, 1,836 industrial connections and 107 government/semi-government connections.

Thus, 1,38,613 connections across these categories were disconnected during FY 2025-26 and FY 2026-27 so far.

Asked whether the government intends to intensify recovery of unpaid electricity bills from commercial and industrial establishments and other consumers defaulting on payments to augment revenue, the government replied in the affirmative.

It said DISCOMs are continuously strengthening their revenue-recovery mechanism, with particular focus on commercial, industrial and other high-value/defaulting consumers.

The government listed four measures being undertaken for this purpose: circle-wise special recovery drives against high-value defaulters; regular monitoring of arrears through MIS/billing software and fixing of recovery targets for field officers; strict enforcement of disconnection and reconnection policy against non-paying consumers; and use of legal remedies, including recovery as arrears of land revenue against habitual defaulters.

The government was also asked whether it was considering introducing an amnesty scheme for waiver of electricity bill arrears in respect of BPL consumers.

The PDD categorically stated that there was no such proposal under consideration of the government.

Srinagar, Sep 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Minister for Law, Justice & Parliamentary Affairs, today introduced the Bill to amend certain enactments for decriminalizing and rationalizing offences for ease of living and ease of doing business (EoDB) and to repeal certain enactments and for matters connected therewith or incidental thereto. The bill was introduced in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly during the ongoing Autumn Session.

The Bill, designated as L.A. Bill No. 16 of 2026, has already been published in an extraordinary issue of the Official Gazette.

Srinagar, Sep 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday launched a sharp attack on the BJP during the Assembly debate on statehood, questioning why Jammu and Kashmir must wait for “guns to go silent” and asking whether the Centre itself could not restore the region’s statehood.

Replying to the debate on the resolution, Omar said he was aware that his “friends” in the opposition would not be happy with it and would try to disrupt the House.

“I knew that my friends (opposition BJP) will not be happy with my resolution and they will try to disrupt the House. So the resolution was prepared with utmost care,” Omar said.

He also urged members of the ruling benches not to press for amendments to the resolution, saying this could provide the BJP with a reason to oppose it.

“Please don’t press for your amendments because that gives a reason to BJP to oppose the resolution,” he told the ruling party members.

Meanwhile, Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma and other BJP members raised slogans of “Delhi ke saath aankh macholi bandh karo” in the House.

Responding to the argument that statehood would be restored after the guns fell silent, Omar questioned whether this effectively meant waiting for Pakistan to stop firing before Jammu and Kashmir could regain statehood.

“You are waiting for guns to go silent, following which statehood will be restored. So does it mean you are waiting for Pakistan to keep guns silent and that will pave the way for restoration of statehood?” Omar asked.

“So can’t our own government, our own Prime Minister give us the statehood?” he said.

Omar also highlighted what he described as the limitations faced by the elected government under the Union Territory arrangement.

Referring to the appointment of the Advocate General and other pending matters, he said these remained unresolved because Jammu and Kashmir continued to be a Union Territory.

“Ask the member (R.S. Pathania) who is raising slogans. Ask him to name any State without having an Advocate General for two years,” Omar said.

He also referred to the functioning of the Academy of Art, Culture and Languages, saying the elected government did not exercise control over it as the institution came under the Lieutenant Governor.

“What does the Cultural Academy have to do with law and order?” he asked.

On universities, Omar said the change in the administrative structure had also reduced the role of the elected government.

He referred to the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), saying that while he had earlier served as its Chancellor as Chief Minister, the position was now held by the Lieutenant Governor.

“As Chief Minister, I have no role in decision-making,” he said.

Taking another swipe at the BJP, Omar questioned why some of its members were raising slogans against restoration of statehood.

“I wonder how they are raising slogans against statehood,” he said, adding that many BJP members wanted statehood restored but could not express their views openly.

“Don’t know from which corner they got the dictation,” Omar said.

Srinagar, Sep 28: Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on Monday expressed grief over the loss of lives in a tragic road on the Teetwal–Simari road in the Karnah area of North Kashmir’s Kupwara district.

In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor wrote, “Deeply pained by the loss of lives in an unfortunate road accident in Kupwara. 

“My heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. Praying for the early recovery of the injured. I have directed the District Administration to ensure best possible treatment to the injured,” The LG added.

As per the latest reports, five people were killed and six others injured in the accident.

However, the identities of all the deceased and injured persons were not immediately available.

Srinagar, Sept 28: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the government has approved a comprehensive Rs 360-crore project for solid waste management in Srinagar, including the legacy waste at Achan, and assured that blacklisted contractors would not be allowed to participate in the project.

Responding to concerns raised in the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah said the issue of waste management in Srinagar was a legitimate concern and that all eight MLAs representing the city were worried about it.

“I know that all the eight honourable MLAs who are from Srinagar city are concerned about this issue, especially the issue of legacy waste at Achan and its impact not only on Achan and its surrounding areas but almost the entire city,” he said.

He said the government had therefore approved a comprehensive project focused on Achan and solid waste management in Srinagar.

“That is why we have approved a comprehensive project specifically for Achan and Srinagar’s solid waste management,” Abdullah said, adding that “approximately Rs 360 crore” would be spent on it.

Addressing concerns over the participation of blacklisted contractors, the chief minister gave an assurance that such firms would be excluded from the project.

“I assure the honourable MLA through you that any contractors who have been blacklisted will not be considered for this work or these projects,” he said. “They will be kept out of this work.”

Abdullah also said the government would proceed with the project without delay, informing the House that the deadline for opening the bids was October 1.

“The last date for bid opening is October 1. The bids will be opened on October 1 and the project will be allotted,” he said.

Srinagar, Sep 28: Two persons, including a 9-month-old baby girl, died after a Sumo vehicle met with an accident at Semari in Karnah area of north Kashmir’s Kupwara district on Monday, officials said.

Officials said that the deceased have been identified as Mohd Idrees, son of Kaser Din, 32, and his 9-month-old daughter Hamza.

Preliminary reports suggest the death toll may rise as rescue operation is still underway. Further details regarding the accident are awaited.

Police have taken cognizance of the incident.(GNS)