From Anil Bhat Jammu, May 1 (PTI) In a major step to bring down transmission and distribution losses and put in place a better power setup, Jammu and Kashmir government has appointed international consultant, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), to suggest ways for corporatisation of the sector in the state. PwC has been engaged as consultant to assist the State government for improving the transmission and Distribution sector in Jammu and Kashmir, State Power Ministry officials said. The State cabinet has accorded in-principle approval for corporatisation of T&D sector, they said. The Comptroller & Auditor General of India (CAG), in its repor, has rapped Jammu and Kashmir government for failure to implement High Voltage Distribution System (HVDS) and Accelerated Power Development reform Programme, resulting in T&D loses rising to 62 percent. Despite spending Rs 491.84 crore on six projects during 2006-11 with progressive expenditure of Rs 812.90 crore ending March 2011, the envisaged benefits could not accrue, the CAG report said. PwC has furnished a preliminary report regarding unbundling of various costs of the T&D utility, they said. The consultants have also set a target for giving the final report on the unbundling during 2012-13, they said. PTI AB
