Srinagar: Unscheduled power cuts in Ramzan particularly during Sehri and Iftar have caused a lot of inconvenience to the people across Kashmir.
Since the onset of holy month Ramzan, Kashmir has been witnessing unusual power cuts. People took to social media to express their anger against the government who claimed to provide round the clock supply in Ramadan.
On April 20, Advisor Baseer Khan during a meeting said that the Lieutenant Governor has vehemently instructed to provide uninterrupted power supply to the consumers during the month of Ramzan particularly “Sehri & Iftiyari” which need to be maintained in letter and spirit.
He directed them that no unscheduled power cut should be observed and people should be informed beforehand about any power curtailment.
However, people complain that they are witnessing power cuts every Sehri and Iftari which is causing them difficulties.
“Every day when the Iftar time is close, suddenly the power supply is shut down. Every house cannot afford power backups like inverters. We have to use artificial light or candles to light up the room. This is very unfortunate that even during Ramzan the government could not provide us uninterrupted power supply,” said Mohammd Shafi, a resident of Nawa Bazar area of the old city.
He said that they face immense difficulty during Sehri because every day at around 3:30 in the night, power supply is disconnected thus making people eat Sehri under candlelight.
Abdul Qayoom, another resident of Khnayar said that they are also witnessing a similar situation. Electricity supply is disconnected particularly during Iftar and Sehri which is causing inconvenience to the people.
Similar complaints are pouring in from, Bemina, Batamalo, Lal chowk, Qamarwari, HMT, Nowgam, Kanipora, Chanpora, Bagh e Mehtab, Rawalpora, Hyderpora and many others.
Speaking to Free Press Kashmir, Chief Engineer Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL), Ajaz Dar attributed unscheduled power cuts in Kashmir to the heavy load due to use of heating appliances.
“People are not cooperating, they are using heating appliances particularly during Sehri and Iftar which forces us to resort to load shedding. The total power agreement of the valley is 860 MW but we are giving 1600 MW which is why people see power cuts during Ramzan. Power load is more at Sehri,” Dar added.
He added that it will be stabilized within a few days with the improvement in temperature and a new schedule will also be issued.
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