WAJAHAT SHABIR
SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department has issued urgent directives to power distribution companies to compile complete data of the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries eligible for 200 units of free electricity.
In an official communiqué, Deputy Secretary Zakir Hussain Wani instructed the Managing Directors of Jammu Power Distribution Corporation Limited (JPDCL) and Kashmir Power Distribution Corporation Limited (KPDCL) to immediately conduct district-wise surveys of all AAY households, verify existing electricity connections through consumer IDs, register unconnected households on-the-spot and submit comprehensive beneficiary lists.
The directive mandates field teams to collect: Ration card numbers of AAY families, Electricity connection details (whether in the name of the head or family member), Contact information of beneficiaries and immediate resolution for households without power
A senior PDD official confirmed this is the first phase of implementing the free electricity scheme approved by the UT administration. “The collected data will determine final beneficiary count and funding requirements,” the official stated.
Notably, the order requires DISCOMs to provide immediate electricity connections to any eligible AAY household found without power during the survey.
JPDCL and KPDCL have mobilized all field staff across 20 districts to meet the tight deadline. Preliminary reports suggest the scheme could benefit approximately 1.8 lakh AAY families across Jammu and Kashmir. The Power Development Department will submit the compiled data to the Finance Department for final scheme approval and fund allocation.
