By: PK Correspondent
Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Government has cracked the whip on its own departments by asking the administrative secretaries to clear the electricity dues on monthly basis.
A circular issued by the Finance Department a copy of which lies with Precious Kashmir states: “It has come to the notice of the Finance Department that there are outstanding/pending electricity dues against various Government Departments of J&K. Each Department is supposed to clear the electricity bills of their offices raised by the Power Development Department every month by way of contra-credit book adjustment at respective Treasuries.”
“To streamline payment of electricity dues, it is impressed upon all the Administrative Secretaries to instruct the Heads of the Department (s) and Drawing and Disbursing Officer(s) under their administrative control to clear the Electricity dues immediately,” it said, adding, “The properly assessed bills shall be cleared by each department on monthly basis and shortfall in budget allocation with proper justification shall be projected in the Revised Estimates 2021-22.”
“The government by asking its own departments to clear the dues is a clear message to one and all that everyone has to pay for electricity and revenue generation has to increase. Process to install smart meters has already commenced and once it’s completed it will boost the revenue collection manifolds,” said an official of the Power Department.
It’s in place to mention here that during the past two years, the power scenario across J&K has witnessed unprecedented changes. People in metered areas are getting electricity 24×7 and revenue collection is on rise. Despite Kashmir witnessing very harsh winters this year electricity didn’t get disrupted as the department had made the preparations well in advance.
