NEW DELHI : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the State should be compensated for restrictions imposed by the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on creating water storage facilities and power generation.
He said that power sector was important for ensuring a turn-around of the State’s economy and advocated urgent steps to initiate measures to alleviate suffering of the people because of power shortage. He also sought an assistance of Rs 4,800 crore as loans and assistance from the Centre.
Addressing Power Ministers’ Conference this morning and speaking at the Sixth meeting of Task Force on Development of Hydro Projects in the evening here, he said there was a need to transfer 390 MW Dulhasti Hydro Electric Project to the State as recommended by Prime Minister’s Working Group on Economic Development of Jammu and Kashmir.
“The recommendation needs to be taken its logical conclusion at the earliest to fulfil the aspiration of the people of the state,” Omar said.
On the IWT, he said the state loses revenue on account of the treaty. “The treaty imposed restrictions on sufficient storage facility which could have been created in the state for generation of hydro electric energy.”
The IWT was signed between India and Pakistan in 1960 under which Pakistan has right to use the Indus, the Jhelum and Chenab in J&K while India has exclusive rights on the Sutlej, the Beas and the Ravi in Punjab.
Noting that a turnaround in the economy of J&K cannot happen without turnaround in power sector, Omar sought close cooperation between the Centre and the State Governments in helping J&K to produce 9000 MWs of power.
Omar listed the initiatives taken by the State to realise the targets and achieve self-reliance in hydroelectric sector.
The Task Force accepted his demand and agreed to allot Dulhasti-II Hydro Electric Project in Joint Venture mode besides agreeing to put clearance to 1000 MW Pakaldul on fast track.
Besides this, speeding up of the work on Srinagar-Leh Transmission Line and a special electrification programme for the villages existing on Line of Control, for which the chief minister advocated strongly and explained the need for taking urgent steps in this direction, was agreed upon by the Task Force.
Omar said that as a part of the effort, 1000 MWs Pakuldul project being implemented through ‘Chenab Valley Joint Venture Company’ needs to be extended Rs 1300 crore as equity to be contributed by Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) for the project being a component of Prime Minister’s Reconstruction Programme (PMRP).
He also sought Rs 2500 crore as subordinate loan for enhancing viability of the project.
He urged early clearance of the Centre for two more HEPs of 600 MWs Kiru and 520 MWs Kawar and sought special central assistance of Rs 1000 crore for execution of Baglihar project. (AGENCIES)
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