Ladakh, J&K discom privatisation may be put on hold due to security concerns

NEW DELHI: Privatisation of electricity distribution companies (discom) in the union territories of Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir (J&K) may be put on hold due to security concerns, among other reasons, said three people aware of the matter.

Tensions have been simmering along the India-China border in Ladakh’s Galwan region while hostilities with Pakistan have risen in the recent past. Given the security imperatives, some believe that critical power infrastructure in such strategic areas should be controlled and managed by the government.

Experts have also cited low power demand in Ladakh and in some circles of J&K, and time required for making preparatory arrangements, such as unbundling of power companies, for the delay in the privatisation process.