SKARDU, Dec 15: Northern Areas Public Works Department, Skardu, has launched a campaign against misuse of electricity in the wake of power shortage in the area.

Power crisis worsens in winter in the Northern Areas after reduction in generation of electricity which comes down to 25mw in the harsh winter season against a total demand of 100mw.

The PWD has constituted a body to check misuse of power in the city. The team would check illegal double supply line and connections and use of electric heaters at homes.

Meanwhile, a team comprising district magistrate, representative of district monitoring team, police personnel and the PWD staff during an action in the new Bazaar area fined several people who were misusing electricity.

Talking to this correspondent, an official said if the consumers voluntarily formed committees in villages and towns and stopped stealing electricity there would be no load shedding.

The consumers, however, alleged that the government high-ups and the NAPWD employees were involved in power theft, double supply line and misuse of power. But the department concerned was not taking any action against them, they said.