SRINAGAR: The Committee on Public Undertakings of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly today convened a meeting at the Assembly Complex, Srinagar, to review audit paras pertaining to the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC) and the Jammu and Kashmir Energy Development Agency (JAKEDA).

The meeting was chaired by Committee Chairman, Ali Mohammad Sagar and attended by members Saifullah Mir, Ali Mohammad Dar, Baldev Raj Sharma, Shakti Raj Parihar, Ranbir Singh Pathania, Bashir Ahmad Veeri, Showkat Hussain Ganai and Tanvir Sadiq.

Also present were the Principal Accountant General J&K, Principal Secretary PDD, Managing Director JKPDC, Director General Accounts and Treasuries, Director General Expenditure, Director General Finance, Managing Director KPDCL, CEO JAKEDA and other concerned officers.

The Committee held a comprehensive discussion and reviewed audit paras 7.4, 8.1 and 8.7 from the Comptroller and Auditor General's reports for the years 2018-19 and 2020-21, pertaining to JKPDC and JAKEDA.

The Chairman directed that a joint team comprising Committee members and concerned officers shall conduct spot inspections across various areas to assess the progress under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS). The inspection team will include members Saifullah Mir, Shakti Raj Parihar, Bashir Ahmad Veeri and Showkat Hussain Ganai.

The Committee also reviewed the functioning of various hydroelectric projects and examined the status of all ongoing power projects across Jammu and Kashmir.

The Chairman instructed the concerned departments to submit a comprehensive progress report on all ongoing projects within 15 days. He stressed the need to adopt proactive measures to harness the Jammu and Kashmir's power generation potential and improve the performance and efficiency of Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs).

Emphasizing transparency and accountability, the Chairman underlined the importance of rigorous audits and evaluations. He further directed the departments to submit updated status reports of all public undertakings, along with relevant audit documentation, to facilitate informed decision-making and necessary reforms.

During the meeting, the Principal Accountant General elaborated on the audit process and shared recommendations to strengthen the functioning of public sector corporations in Jammu and Kashmir.