*CVPPL gets Rs 450 cr forest compensation, nothing for DPs
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 22: The Govern-ment had to face unusual situation when the ruling PDP member in the Upper House today claimed that an important document, MoU signed by the State Government and NHPC for Dul Hasti power project was missing from the Government record and till today to comprehensive Rehabilitation Policy exists for the rehabilitation of displaced families from the power project sites in the State.
The ruling party member Firdous Tak again opened a salvo on the Government stating that a whopping amount of Rs 450 crore has been paid a forest compensation for the power projects in Kishtwar area but no money is being spent on the health, education, housing, water, power, roads and other facilities of the displaced families. He went ahead training guns on the Government stating that Dul Hasti has generated 194 billion dollars of profit so far and State Government Govt received a share of 41 billion US dollars but no welfare measures were taken for the people of Kishtwar and other displaced families. This area where huge power is being generated for rest of the country, is affected with long power curtailments and is not even getting 0.5 % of the power share.
These revelations were made by the PDP member while taking part in discussion on power projects raised by NC member Sajjad Kichloo.
Tak said a committee was framed on the issue of missing MoU documents during 2011 and against yet another committee was framed 2013 and now again during 2017, but the net result was zero. He said the MOU was signed sometime back during 1972-83 and the then Government should have preserved this important document. It is strange how a document went missing from Government record.
He said a large number of families are being affected with Burser and other power projects in Kishtwar. It is question of their lives and bread and butter. The Government must address this sensitive issue with human heart. He said unfortunately, previous Governments did not bother to frame a comprehensive policy and address other environment and health related issues of the people.
NC member Sajjad Kichloo strongly advocated for rehabilitation of displaced families and said thousands of people from Kishtwar district are being displaced and Government must clear its policy and tell how they are going to rehabilitate these people.
Responding to the discussion and points raised by the Members talking part in discussion, the Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh said that a new relief and rehabilitation policy has been formulated for the affected people of three Power projects- Pakal Dul, Kiru and Kawar in Kishtwar district wherein Rs 33 lakh would be provided for undertaking the construction for individual house and other facilities while a comprehensive Rehabilitation Policy for entire State is coming up soon. He admitted that earlier no such policy was in place. “Why it was not framed earlier, we do not want to go into that detail,” he maintained.
He claimed that the policy has been given nod by State Cabinet and Rs 33 lakh per family have been kept besides providing an amount of Rs 40,000 for construction of work shed and 25000 for cattle shed and providing a scholarship of Rs 1000 per month for undertaking studies of the children of the affected families.
The DyCM said there are 4- power projects with 1680 MW cumulative capacity operational on River Chenab, while as 7 more projects having total capacity of 5388 MW have been proposed to be constructed on the river flowing through Chenab Valley comprising Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts.
Giving details of the commissioned power projects on River Chenab, the Minister said that Dul hasti Power Project with a capacity of 390 MW, Bhagliar Hydro Electric Project (BHEP) Stage-I and II with capacity of 450 MW each and Salal Hydro Electric Project (HEP) with capacity of 390 MW are operational and are generating power which is being supplied as per set norms.
Dr Singh further informed the House that 7 more Power projects having total capacity of 5388 MW include 1000 MW Pakal Dul HEP, 624 MW Kiru HEP, 540 MW Kawar HEP, 1856 MW Sawalakote HEP, 390 MW Kirthai-I, 930 MW Kirthai-II and 48 MW Lower Kalnai are proposed to be constructed on River Chenab. The Minister said that out of these projects, three projects Pakaldul, Kiru and Kwar are in advanced stage of tendering while as final clearance is awaited at CEA for Sawlakote HEP.
The Minister said that DPR for Kirthai-I project is under appraisal at CEA while as Kirthsai-II has been appraised by the CEA for which a consultant has been engaged for preparation of bid document for execution of project in EPC mode. He said that execution of Lower Kalnai Project at an estimated cost of Rs 576.87 crore has been taken by M/S Coastal Projects Limited, but only 10% progress has been achieved and due to poor performance of contractor the work is bound to get delayed. He said an amount of Rs 108.10 crore has been expended so far.
With regard to the 800 MW Burser HEP, the Minister said that the project is one among the 7 projects handed over to NHPC for development under central sector under an MoU in July, 2000 between the State Government and the Government of India. He said the project in under investigation and DPR preparation/appraisal. However, the project is yet to be cleared by Government of India for construction, the Minister said.
DyCM further said that in respect of 330 MW Wudwan-Bursar, 235 MW Barinium HEP, 230 MW Shous and 370 Shamnot projects PFR has been prepared by JKSPDC through M/s WAPCOS which shall be followed by preparation of DPR and appraisal from the competent authority.
In respect of the 850 MW Rattle Hydroelectric Project (HEP), Dr Singh said that the project was awarded on BOOT basis to M/s GVK through tariff based competitive bidding. However, he said, the developer abandoned the project in the year 2014. Minister said that the State Government has terminated the PPA with the developer.
Dr Singh further said that the project shall now be developed by JKSPDC. He said that the claims from the developer and the counter claims by the state government are under arbitration. He said that, to proceed further, JKSPDC on the directions of the State Government has engaged the IIT-Roorkee for valuation of the assets created by the developer.
Deputy Chief Minister also informed that PDC does not engage the services on temporary basis and no staff is engaged specifically against the projects. He said that total 210 persons are at presently engaged in Chenab Valley Power Projects (P) Ltd including those on transfer or deputation basis from NHPC, State government and directly recruited by CVPP. He said among those116 are technical and 94 are non-technical.
The Minister further said that 416 employees of Dul Hasti Power Station, Kishtwar including technical and non-technical are on the rolls of NHPC while as 610 employees including technical and non-technical of Salal Power Station, Reasi, are on the rolls of Corporation. He said the JKSPDC have centralized mode of recruitment based on the project requirement and in line with the procedures adopted in State government. Minister said that in CVPPL the recruitment for engagement of staff is being made through open advertisement.
Dr Singh said that direct recruitment against the clear out vacancies for Executives and Supervisors is being done centrally by NHPC Corporate office after advertisement in Employment News, National Dailies or local newspapers as per the instructions issued by the central government where necessary written competitive examination, test for oral examination by means of interview of candidates by selection committee is held for recruitment.
The Minister said that no non local (non state subject) is placed on rolls of JKSPDC. However, he said, contractors engaged for execution of project recruit partly non-locals depending upon the requirement and insufficiency within state quota.
Apart from Tak and Kichloo, earlier, several other legislators including Ghulam Nabi Monga, Ashok Khajuria, Naresh Kumar Gupta, Sham Lal Bhagat, Sofi Yousuf, Girdhari Lal Raina, Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Yasir Reshi participated in the discussion and suggested various measures to streamline the power generation and distribution system in the State. Mr Kichloo and majority of opposition members pressed for House Committee but the Chairman rejected.
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