JAMMU, February 6, 2026 — Minister for Health and Medical Education, Sakeena Itoo, announced today that the Jammu and Kashmir government is in the final stages of approving a landmark project to provide 200 units of free electricity per month to all households under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category.
Replying to queries regarding the power sector on behalf of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, the Minister detailed several strategic initiatives aimed at stabilizing the Union Territory’s energy infrastructure. While addressing power curtailments in the Doda district—which currently faces daily cuts of 3 to 6 hours—Itoo noted that specific areas like Prem Nagar and Gandoh experience additional shedding due to technical constraints such as long feeder lengths and capacity limitations.
To provide financial relief to residents, the government has extended an Amnesty Scheme for domestic consumers to waive interest and surcharges on accumulated dues, valid until March 31, 2026.
Furthermore, the Minister highlighted progress under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), noting that physical works in Doda have reached 31% completion as of late January.
The modernization effort includes a massive smart metering rollout; so far, over 6.45 lakh smart meters have been installed across the UT under the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP).
To ensure the long-term efficiency of these systems, the government has initiated the recruitment of Junior Engineers and technical staff under direct quotas, while simultaneously directing Departmental Promotion Committees (DPCs) to fill vacant promotion-quota posts immediately to strengthen the workforce.
