Beerwah: The Power Development Department (PDD) in Beerwah subdivision of Central Kashmir’s Budgam district has intensified its drive against defaulters, disconnecting dozens of transformers and industrial units across the subdivision, even as officials urged consumers to avail the extended Amnesty Scheme for Domestic Consumers. The scheme, recently prolonged by the Government of Jammu and Kashmir until March 31, 2026, allows domestic users to clear pending dues in eight installments with a complete waiver of interest and surcharge on arrears accumulated until March 31, 2025.
Assistant Executive Engineer (AEE) Bashir Ahmad while speaking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, described the scheme as a “golden opportunity” for consumers, stressing that it is the last extension and that no further relaxation will be granted beyond the new deadline. “Consumers can restore their supply and avoid further hardships by clearing dues under the scheme. All previous terms and conditions remain intact,” he said.
Despite the appeal, the Beerwah Sub Division has undertaken widespread disconnections. According to official data, several transformers in multiple areas were cut off due to non-payment. Chewdara witnessed four transformers disconnected, Narwara seven, Kothbal one, Sugin Koker Bagh three, and New Colony Makhuma three. Industrial units such as rice husker mills, band saw mills, and stone crushers also faced disconnections for defaulting on payments.
In the Shunglipora section of Khag, the impact has been even more severe, with 27 transformers disconnected. These included four units of 100 KVA, twenty-one units of 63 KVA, and two units of 25 KVA capacity.
The move has triggered widespread anger among locals, many of whom allege that even families who cleared their dues have been left without power.
Locals also appealed to the administration to consider special relief packages for impoverished households. They said that families in rural Budgam cannot manage payments even under installment-based plans. “The government should think of schemes beyond Amnesty, designed for the poor,” they demanded. [KNT]
