With Jammu and Kashmir facing burgeoning losses in power sector, the government has decided to install electronic meters across the state, starting from residences of all the VIPs including ministers.

"Residences of all the VIPs shall be metered first and public support will be garnered to identify the elements indulging in power thefts," a Power Ministry official said.

He said the annual performance reports of the officers and engineers of power department will now be based on their performance in energy accounting.

The department has formed an energy accounting plan which envisages tallying of electricity units distributed from a particular feeder during a specified period with revenue collections.

If there is any mis-match in the energy supplied and revenue realized, the officers concern and field agencies will be held responsible for the lapse.

The state is reeling under huge losses in power sector on account of pilferage, transmission and distribution losses and power thefts.

The state spends about Rs 3,000 crore on import of power against a revenue of only Rs 700 crore, State Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather had said last week.

Of the total 6 lakh power consumers in Jammu division, 2.75 lakh consumers have electronic meters.

The department needs Rs 65.05 crore for purchasing 3.15 lakh electronic meters for 100 per cent metering of the consumers.