Sri H. Rajesh Prasad I.A.S

H. Rajesh Prasad, a distinguished member of the 1995 AGMUT cadre (All-India—Goa, Meghalaya, Union Territories), has been serving as the Principal Secretary of the Power Development Department (PDD) for the Government of Jammu & Kashmir since September 22, 2022 . His tenure has marked a determined effort to modernize the region’s power infrastructure, especially during the challenging winter months.

Born on June 1, 1967, in Karnataka, H. Rajesh Prasad hails from that state. He earned a B.Com. degree, followed by an LL.B. and dual MBAs (Finance & Public Management) from IGNOU and Pondicherry University . An IAS officer since 1995, he held several pivotal roles: District Collector in Arunachal Pradesh and South Delhi, followed by senior administrative roles in Delhi—Commissioner of Urban Development, Trade & Taxes, and later Principal Secretary in Education and Urban Development departments in Delhi .

Upon his arrival in Jammu & Kashmir, he:

• Took charge on September 22, 2022, and initiated an introductory meeting with senior PDD officials to align on strategic objectives.

• Imposed strict scheduling measures to eliminate unscheduled curtailments, emphasizing grid discipline and zero tolerance toward power pilferage.

• Championed winter readiness by chairing focused reviews aimed at improving electricity availability in the mountainous Kashmir region.

• Strengthened financial governance by recommending budget adherence, timely billing, quick transformer fault resolutions, and decisive action to reduce AT&C (Aggregate Technical & Commercial) losses.

• He also served on the Board of Directors of KPDCL, reinforcing his strategic influence in distribution reforms.

• Under his leadership, smart-metering infrastructure has been prioritized—covering feeders and DTs—to enhance energy accounting, load monitoring, and minimize distribution losses.

• He was entrusted with additional charge of the Agriculture Production Department until August 30, 2024, showcasing his multi-departmental administrative capacity.

• Under his watch, peak power demand has risen by over 28% between FY 2020‑21 and 2023‑24, while peak deficit has been cut from 22% to 12%, reflecting strengthened capacity and efficient supply management.

• His zero-tolerance stance on power theft—coupled with strict billing enforcement and swift fault rectification—demonstrates a dedication to system integrity and consumer trust.

• Pushing for budgetary adherence, curtailment discipline, and reliable winter supply contributes significantly to the socio-economic resilience of the region.

H. Rajesh Prasad’s tenure as Principal Secretary of the Power Development Department in J&K reflects a blend of strategic clarity and operational vigor. With deep-rooted administrative experience—from field-level district management to high-impact urban governance in Delhi—his focused initiatives in infrastructure upgrades, financial discipline, smart metering, and cross-departmental coordination are positioning J&K’s power ecosystem toward modernization, especially under the strain of harsh winters. His adaptive and results-driven approach signals meaningful progress in the UT’s quest for reliable, efficient, and accountable power services.