Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, July, 04
Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra, a leading advocate for the tourism industry, presents key electricity issues to Sh Manhar Gupta ,Chief Engineer (distribution) JPDCL urging immediate attention and collaborative action to address challenges and foster sustainable upgradation in the sector in holy town Katra.
In a meeting held today in his office chamber, a delegation from Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra met with chief engineer JPDCL to discuss pressing concerns of electricity affecting the tourism industry. The purpose of the meeting was to share insights, propose solutions, and seek the redressal of the issues.
During the interaction Raj Kumar Padha,president CTTIK raised several issues and presented suggestions and recommendations . He stated that deptt. had issued inflated power bills based on KVAH tariff with retrospective effect whereas the same should be with prospective effect from November 2022 as per the Joint Electricity Regulator Commission’s order no JERC/LAW-S/P/2022/F-5/478-84 dated 13-10-2022.Member units are in a state of confusion and stressed because of inflated electric bills.
This situation has significantly impacted financial well being of the businesses which have been already reeling under pressure due to low business activity. Hence he requested him to take necessary steps to remove the anomalies and reissue the bills accordingly. Rajneesh Purohit general secretary of chamber of tourism trade and industry Katra submitted that electricity to hospitality units is like blood to the body hence Katra needs 24 hours electricity supply.He stated that the businesses have been suffering losses due to the unscheduled power cuts since last few days as we have to run our businesses on DG sets.CTTIK delegation impressed upon the officials for uninterrupted power supply to the holy town Katra.
Atul Sharma secretary CTTIK Katra discussed that katra town has been visited by around 1 crore yatries annually every year for pilgrimage and as such distribution infrastructure is needed to be augmented urgently for the efficient supply of electricity for the smooth facilitation of vaishnodevi yatra .He requested him for the provision of LT cables,transformer cables and upgradation of overloaded transformers of Katra town on urgent basis .
The delegation also sought a power amnesty scheme for commercial power consumers as per earlier scheme granted to domestic consumers.
Manhar Gupta gave a patient hearing to all the points and ensured his full copperation and support. Chamber of Tourism Trade and Industry Katra expressed gratitude to the JPDCL officials for the opportunity to engage in this constructive dialogue.
