BILAL HUSSAIN
The apex business body of the valley, Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s (KCCI) and the leading industrial organization, Federation Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) reiterated their demand for the transfer of centre-sector hydle power projects to the energy deficit J&K state.
The business organizations demanded project transfer in wake of Prime Minister, Dr. Manmohan Singh’s visit to Valley. They are expected to meet him and take up the issue with him.
The state government should seek adequate financial compensation from New Delhi on account of losses J&K has been incurring due to World Bank brokered Indus Water Treaty (IWT) between India and Pakistan, they said.
President KCCI Nazir Ahmad Dar told Kashmir Times that despite the fact that the state is endowed with snow-capped mountains, perennial glaciers, a mighty river systems comprising three rivers, and some of the largest fresh water lakes, including the world famous Wular lake, the state is facing power as well as water scarcity.
He said it was surprising that the union government compensated Pakistan on account of losses on pre-partition canal network of Central Bari Doab and Dipalpur, but the state received nothing for the losses on account of IWT.
He explained: “The then government led by Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru gave Rs 83.3 crore, in addition to Rs 300 crore given by the USA, UK, West Germany, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and the World Bank to Pakistan for these losses.”
While terming IWT as “marring economy pact” for J&K and “boosting economy pact” for other states, he said, “The treaty while making the neighbouring state of Punjab prosperous and self-sufficient in terms of agriculture and power, has hobbled the growth of J&K.”
The center undertakes three hydle power projects through National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC). Three projects namely 690 MW Salal, Uri-I (480 MW) and Dulhasti (390 MW) stand commissioned in 1987, 1996 and 2007 respectively. President FCIK, Shakeel Qalander, said that the transfer of the said HEP from NHPC to state government has been recommended by Rangaranjan Committee.
In 2000, the state government handed over seven power projects to the NHPC. The seven projects were: 240 MW Uri II, 330 MW Kishanganga, 120 MW Seva II, 1000 MW Bursar, 1020 MW Pakaldul, 44 MW Chitak, 45 MW Nemo-Buzgo.
The earlier agreements with the NHPC should be reviewed and should be based on BOOT (Built Own Operate and Transfer). Under the BOOT, the project is transferred to the state after 35 years, Dar said.
According to the KCCI the treaty has deprived the state from using its own resources, which in turn has affected its growth and development.
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