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Sriangar, Oct 24 (UNI) Taking a serious note of massive protests by the Jammu and Kashmir people, following announcement of major power cuts by the Power Development Department (PDD), Governor N N Vohra said the power curtailment schedule in the state will remain the same as was during last year.

He said efforts would be made to procure more power for providing further respite to the consumers.

Taking note of the public reaction over the new power curtailment schedule issued by the PDD, the Governor said the Union Ministry of Power would be approached for allocating additional power to the state from its unallocated quota to address the prevailing deficit and to tide over the situation on account of the inadequate availability of power.

An official spokesman today said reviewing the power supply position, especially during the winter months, with his Advisor Mr C Phunsog, last evening, the Governor said all possible resources would be mobilized to reduce the curtailment.

He called for formulating an immediate action plan in respect of power supply in the State, keeping in view the shortfall in generation.

Mr Vohra issued instructions to the PDD to revive the last year's schedule, as a minimum relief, allowing the consumers such incremental comfort level as may be feasible under the given circumstances.

Accordingly, the PDD will notify the revised schedule today and the situation will be monitored by the Development Commissioner Power on a daily basis, as directed by the Governor.

Mr Vohra said his administration is committed to mitigate the problems of the people by ensuring better utility services.

He said though the power generation gets affected due to reduction in the water flow in rivers during the winter months yet every possible step would be taken to enhance the power supply.

The PDD chief engineer had announced 13-hour power curtailment in 24 hours and called consumers as thieves, which evoked massive protests by the people and different political, social and other organisations.

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