Adil Lateef
SRINAGAR, May 28: Stating that Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation & Management) Act, 2010, has been made applicable in State, the Government today said over Rs 3403 crore have been collected from NHPC and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) so far.
Minister In-charge, PHE/I&FC Department in reply to a question of MLC Naresh Gupta in Upper House said the Water Resources (Regulation & Management) Act, 2010 has been made applicable in the State since November 2010. He said the agencies for which water usage charges are being collected include NHPC and JKSPDC.
“An amount of Rs. 33830147149.00 has been collected from NHPC on account of water usage charges till date and an amount of Rs. 34555261003.00 including interest has been transferred to Finance Department. The JKSPC has deposited an amount of Rs. 200000000.00 only till date,” he said.
The water usage charges shall be utilized strictly in accordance with the provisions of J&K Water Resources Regulatory Act 2010, which clearly states that the water usage charges fund shall be utilized for establishment of power projects and buying back power projects already established in the State, the Minister stated.
He further stated that charges shall also be utilized for capital investment in electric transmission and distribution network within territory of State and the purchase of power by the State Government and its entities, with prior approval of the Government.
In reply to the another question of MLC wherein he had asked if there is any plan to establish Regulatory Management Authority, the Government said that J&K Water Resources Regulatory Authority has been already constituted in October 2012 vide SRO-39 of the October 15 which has lived its period and constitution of new authority is under process in terms of its chairman and members.
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