Leh, May 25: The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC), Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh organised a Public Hearing in the matter of approval for True-up for the FY 2019-20, FY 2020-21, FY 2021-22 and FY 2022-23, Annual Performance Report (APR) for FY 2023-24 and Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) along with tariff determination proposal for FY 2024-25 in respect of Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD), UT Ladakh at DC Conference Hall today on May 25.

The hearing was chaired by Chairman, JERC, Lokesh D Jha who took a review of the power sector of Ladakh. Major schemes in the power sector such as Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), 220 KV Nubra Zanskar Transmission Line project under PMDP, implementation of Smart Meters, upcoming hydro and solar projects were discussed. He also enquired about the AT&C losses as well as an action plan for loss reduction.

On behalf of the Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD), RECPDCL presented a detailed presentation to the Chairman and the stakeholders present during the hearing. The presentation highlighted the key details of challenges and initiatives by LPDD, government schemes that are under implementation in Ladakh, upcoming power projects which included hydro and solar powered projects, consumer mix, sources of supply, projected power purchase, annual revenue requirement and the proposed tariff for FY 2024-25 along with the details for the past years from 2019-20 onwards.  

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Chief Engineer, LPDD, Tsewang Paljor underlined the key reasons for the loss and informed the chairman that the department is implementing the smart meters which will significantly improve the billing, timely revenue collection along with better energy accounting. He also added that the department is aiming to complete its Nubra Zanskar Transmission line projects by September 2025. Further it was informed to the Commission that the RDSS works will also be awarded shortly. 

Additionally, the Chairman enquired about the issues that the different stakeholders are facing. The representatives from Defence, Hotel Association and ITBP presented their requests and issues and also thanked the LPDD for their service. 

The Chairman asked the representatives to submit their requests in writing to Chief Engineer, Ladakh PDD & JERC, by May 28, 2024 so that the issue are discussed and considered in accordance with permissible rules

Representatives from JERC included Member JERC Mohd Rafi Andrabi; Secretary JERC VK Dhar and Institutional Consultant, JERC.

Other officials included ADDC, Leh, Sonam Nurboo; Superintendent Engineer, LPDD, Tundup Skalzang; Executive Engineer, ED, Leh, GM Qari; Executive Engineer, STD, Leh, Rinchen Wangmo; Executive Engineer, ED, Kargil, Feroz Ahmad and other engineers from LPDD. 

Stakeholders present were Officials from Military Engineering Service (MES), President, Hotel Association along with other hoteliers and consumers, Officials from ITBP and representatives from Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum (HP).