The Joint Electricity Regulatory Commission (JERC) for Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh organised a public hearing on May 25 regarding the approval of True-up for FY 2019-20, FY 2020-21, FY 2021-22, and FY 2022-23, the Annual Performance Report (APR) for FY 2023-24, and the Aggregate Revenue Requirement (ARR) along with the tariff determination proposal for FY 2024-25. The meeting was held in the Conference Hall of the Deputy Commissioner's Office.

The hearing was chaired by Chairman JERC, Lokesh D. Jha. Key schemes such as the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), the 220 KV Nubra Zanskar Transmission Line project under PMDP, the implementation of smart meters, and upcoming hydro and solar projects were discussed. Chairman Jha also inquired about the AT&C losses and the action plan for loss reduction.

On behalf of the Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD), RECPDCL presented a detailed overview to the Chairman and stakeholders. The presentation covered the challenges and initiatives by LPDD, ongoing government schemes in Ladakh, upcoming hydro and solar power projects, consumer mix, sources of supply, projected power purchases, annual revenue requirements, and proposed tariffs for FY 2024-25, as well as details for the previous years from 2019-20 onwards.

Chief Engineer of LPDD, Tsewang Paljor, highlighted the main reasons for losses and informed the Chairman about implementing smart meters, which will significantly improve billing, timely revenue collection, and energy accounting. He added that the department aims to complete the Nubra Zanskar Transmission Line project by September 2025 and that RDSS works will be awarded shortly.

The Chairman also addressed issues faced by different stakeholders. Representatives from the Defence, Hotel Association, and ITBP presented their requests and concerns, expressing gratitude to the LPDD for their services. The Chairman requested the representatives to submit their requests in writing to the Chief Engineer, Ladakh PDD & JERC, by May 28, 2024, so that the issues could be discussed and considered per permissible rules.

Representatives from JERC included Member JERC, Mohd Rafi Andrabi; Secretary JERC, V.K. 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 included officials from the Military Engineering Service (MES), the President of the Hotel Association along with other hoteliers and consumers, officials from ITBP, and representatives from Indian Oil and Hindustan Petroleum (HP).