Daily wagers appointed by previous Govts, we are trying to resolve issue: Dr Jitendra
*Leaders built mansions abroad, J&K left backward: RK Singh
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Jan 3: The Jammu and Kashmir Government today signed Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) for mega hydro power projects in the presence of Union Minister of State in the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) Dr Jitendra Singh, Union Minister for Power RK Singh and Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha with the latter declaring that all these power projects will return to J&K after 40 years.
The Union Ministers and the Lieutenant Governor addressed the gathering after the signing of MoUs between the Jammu and Kashmir Government and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) for the implementation of the 850-MW Ratle HEP and 930-MW Kirthai-II HEP and the execution of the Sawalkot HEP (1,856 MW), Uri-I (Stage-II-240 MW) and Dulhasti (Stage-II-258 MW) power projects, worth Rs 34,000 crore here.
In his address on the occasion, Dr Jitendra Singh in whose Udhampur-Doda Parliamentary constituency, all but one projects will be constructed, said the just concluded District Development Council (DDC) elections have rekindled hope of democracy in Jammu and Kashmir. Click here to watch video
“Earlier, there used to be low turnout in the elections as people had lost interest due to return of same dynast politicians in the power. This time, there was huge turnout and many new faces have emerged on political map of Jammu and Kashmir,” Dr Jitendra Singh said and added that this was for the first time in last 70 years that the DDCs have been formed in the Union Territory leading to restoration of grass-root level democracy.
Referring to the issue of daily wagers and casual workers in Jammu and Kashmir, Dr Jitendra Singh said the present Government is trying its best to address the issue but it must be known to everyone that this problem was creation of the previous Governments who had indulged in backdoor appointments hoping that the engaged youth will be regularized automatically.
“We are trying to redeem for sins of past Governments. We shouldn’t be blamed for these irregularities. Those who are criticizing us on the issue must come out with solution. At this stage, if we regularize the daily wagers/casual workers, the unemployed youth will go to the court,” the Union Minister said.
He said it goes to credit of the Union and present J&K Government which have abolished interviews for many posts and the youth qualifying written exams are being selected for the jobs. During past few weeks, 1400 youth from the border districts of Kathua, Samba and Jammu have been recruited in the Border Security Force (BSF) and recruitment process is on for two more police battalions
“In the power projects for which MoUs have been signed today, all but one are located in Kishtwar and Ramban districts which fall in Udhampur-Doda Lok Sabha seat. I spent two days in Kishtwar and all employment in the projects will be given to locals,” he said, adding the Government can’t give Government jobs to all but will create employability and self employment opportunities.
He announced that shortly another MoU will be signed between North East and J&K Government to set up three bamboo clusters in the Jammu region.
Asserting that there is beeline of investors for investment in Jammu and Kashmir after abrogation of special status, Dr Jitendra Singh, however, said the delay has been caused due to COVID pandemic.
On questions raised over domicile certificate that what was its necessity if anyone can purchase land in J&K, the Union Minister said the land can be purchased with consent of the owner but the domicile is mandatory for admissions in colleges and Government jobs, otherwise, they would have been open for all.
“During migration, the Kashmiri Pandits got flats at many places but had to be provided special reservation for admission in colleges in other States,” he added.
He said Chenani-Nashri tunnel, upcoming Stadium at Hiranagar which will be second largest after Eden Gardens in Kolkata, rail bridge in Reasi which is 35 meters more in height than Eiffel tower, metro train and New Delhi-Katra Expressway show new signs of development in J&K.
Dr Jitendra Singh said after special focus to Lavendar of Doda and Kishtwar districts and Lemon Grass of Reasi district to make its growers ‘Atmanirbhar’, the saffron of Kishtwar is all set to be acknowledged equally with Kashmir saffron across the globe.
Under National Mission on Saffron (NMS), Kishtwar will have a Saffron Park in future.
Dr Jitendra Singh said: “A Saffron Park has been proposed under NMS in Kishtwar District. The total proposed cost of the project for establishment of Saffron Park in Kishtwar District is approximately Rs 12 crores.”
Meanwhile, Union Power Minister R K Singh said the Centre would spend “liberally” to tap the immense potential of Jammu and Kashmir in the power sector to make it a power-surplus region.
However, he said a conducive atmosphere to facilitate large-scale investments and improving the work culture are imperative to bring Jammu and Kashmir at par with other parts of the country, after it lagged behind due to “corruption” during the previous regimes.
“It is painful that Jammu and Kashmir, despite having the best available resources in the country to generate power, is lagging behind in providing round-the-clock electricity to consumers…The previous governments are directly responsible for the present state of affairs,” Singh said.
He said there is no other place in the country where barbed wire is being used to provide electricity to consumers.
“The lack of development over the past seven decades is because of the previous Governments. They should be held accountable as to where the money pumped by the Centre had gone. Compared to other places in the country, Jammu and Kashmir was getting more funds, but the Centrally-Sponsored Schemes saw very slow progress,” the Power Minister said.
Without naming anyone, he alleged that leaders of political parties have deceived people to fill up their coffers, build mansions in London, Rome and Paris but left Jammu and Kashmir backward.
Singh said electricity is key for the development of any region. “Without power, you cannot move ahead. Power is the fundamental requirement to improve quality of life and industrialization. If you do not have power, you cannot achieve development and if there is no development, you would not be able to generate employment,” he said.
Singh said when he took over as the Power Minister and came to Jammu and Kashmir in October 2017, he was surprised to see that the work on Centrally-Sponsored Schemes like the Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana had not started even after a lapse of three years.
“Various such schemes are yet to be completed. We need to improve the work culture and speed up the work on these schemes, which are meant for the benefit of people,” he said.
The Minister said Jammu and Kashmir has the resources and potential to achieve surplus power generation.
“There is a need to create an atmosphere where people from outside will come for investments here. The Centre will spend liberally to make Jammu and Kashmir a power-surplus region,” Singh said.
He said the Union Territory is a challenge as far as providing round-the-clock power to consumers is concerned.
“We will improve the power supply to the consumers and are working in this direction. The Union Territory status to Jammu and Kashmir has sped up development in the region and we are hopeful of achieving our target,” Singh said.
However, he said people will have to pay for electricity in accordance with their consumption. “There will be no free power and you will be able to switch it on only when you pay for it,” he said.
The Minister lauded Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha for his efforts to fast-track development projects to bring Jammu and Kashmir at par with other parts of the country and said it is the responsibility of everyone to strengthen his efforts.
“Why people from outside are not willing to come here is a question that needs an answer. We need to think over it. You have to allow them to work here and work together for the creation of such an atmosphere so that they can come and invest,” he said.
Singh added that the Centre will not allow funds to become an impediment in the completion of projects.
“As demanded by the LG, we have no problem in providing services to our officers and companies. Companies like the NHPC will outsource contracts to outsiders and you have to allow them to work here in a conducive atmosphere,” he said.
Advising the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department (PDD) to improve the work culture, the Minister said it is imperative to take electricity to every household.
“In the past, decisions were taken by previous governments that smelled of corruption. Many projects were given to private parties and they need to be asked for it,” he said.
Referring to the MoU signed in his presence, Singh said Jammu and Kashmir will become an energy-surplus region after the completion of the projects.
“When you start selling 3,000 to 4,000 MW of power to other States, your income will increase by Rs 8,000 crore, which will pave the way for the construction of roads, hospitals and schools,” he said.
Singh said the NHPC will employ local youngsters in the projects and also provide training to them.
“It is imperative that there should be a robust billing system and meter system in place,” he added.
When the Narendra Modi-led Government took over in 2014, the rural areas in the country used to get electricity for 18 hours and a half, which has now improved to 20 hours per day, while the urban areas are getting it for 22-23 hours and 80 per cent of the towns are getting round-the-clock power supply.
“This type of development is possible here as well, but you have to change. We will ensure 24-hour power supply to consumers in Jammu and Kashmir and till this is achieved, I will feel that my work is incomplete. This is our responsibility and we will do it,” he said.
Addressing the function, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha said a clause has been added under which all power projects for which MoUs were signed today will revert to Jammu and Kashmir after 40 years of commercial operation, which was not in the case of earlier projects allotted to NHPC Limited.
“Till then Jammu and Kashmir will get 13 percent free power and 454 MW electricity without any charges,” he said, adding that there will be pre-paid meters in every house of Jammu and Kashmir in the next two years as the Government can’t supply the electricity to houses without meters.
Admitting that rural areas are facing 10-12 hour power cuts, Sinha said within two years the rural areas will get 24 hours power supply. The Prime Minister has also set target to this effect, he added.
“The Industrial Policy for Jammu and Kashmir will be announced soon and there will be an increase in electricity demand by 15 percent every year. We have to prepare for that,” he said, regretting that foundation of Sawlakote power project was laid in 1984 and for 36 years not even one MW power was generated from the project.
The MoUs were signed between Power Development Department (PDD), J&K; National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd and J&K Power Development Corporation, in the presence of Union Ministers and the Lieutenant Governor.
The occasion also witnessed inauguration of as many as 19 important projects of PDD aimed at greater generation, efficient transmission and better distribution of power supply in J&K during the Mega inauguration ceremony.
Manoj Sinha observed that the MoUs signed today would attract investments worth Rs 35,000 crore for Jammu & Kashmir power sector and ensuring the region’s energy security and 24-hour power supply to the people of J&K.
“J&K is taking a quantum leap from being power deficit to becoming power surplus in the next four years. For uninterrupted power supply, this is the most significant move by the J&K Government”, he said.
Speaking on tapping the full potential of hydro energy, the Lt Governor observed that the vision of the Government is to effectively harness hydro energy resources of J&K with a goal to double the energy generation by 2024 and also to prepare a strategy for efficiency through policies, monitoring mechanism to ensure energy security for economic and social benefits.
“Hydro electricity would be a major contributor to the world’s energy security in view of the global shift towards sustainable energy and reduction of carbon emissions. Our efforts are steering Jammu & Kashmir towards its energy sufficient and empowered future,” he added.
Sinha said that the numerous hydro resources of Jammu & Kashmir are capable of generating 14,867 MW power but the potential had not been fully exploited, and only 3504 MW power was being generated till now. The works started now will ensure that another 3498 MW power is generated in the next three to four years.
The potential which was achieved in 70 years would now be doubled within the next four years only, he maintained.
“J&K’s journey from a power deficit to a power surplus region can only be realized with vision and planning. Entire overhaul is being made possible with the support of the Central Government without any expenditure by the UT administration,” Sinha remarked.
Out of the two agreements, the NHPC would work in association with the administration at the first and, the languishing Sawalkot project would be handed over to NHPC for completion under the second. The project has been perpetually postponed since its conception in 1984 and was expected to generate 1856 MW power, he added.
Underscoring the significance of clean, affordable and reliable energy as key factors for growth of industries, businesses and society, the Lt Governor said that the UT Government is working on environmentally sustainable solar plants to augment renewable energy generation while reviving small hydro projects pending for a long time.
Jammu & Kashmir was deliberately prevented from attracting investments and despite having abundant potential of power generation; its energy needs were not addressed. With the execution of new mega power projects, a number of other employment avenues would be generated for the locals. In addition to power generation, strengthening its distribution and transmission infrastructure would also receive our equal efforts, the Lt Governor maintained.
Highlighting various measures taken by the Government to streamline power supply across the UT, Sinha said that during the ‘winter preparation’ meeting conducted last year, efforts were made to ensure that except for the scheduled power cuts, the public gets regular power supply. Any disruption in power supply was directed to be rectified within minimum time and a customer care centre was also set up for the purpose in Kashmir division last month. A similar centre was also launched in Jammu division today.
“Replacement of faulty transformers has been a serious issue and therefore, a deadline of 24 hours has been set, in case of urban areas, and 48 hours in case of villages, within which the transformers are to be replaced. Although, we are supplying 15% more power in comparison to last year, still a lot needs to be done to achieve the desired results,” he maintained.
On unscheduled power cuts, the Lt Governor said that he is monitoring the issue of unscheduled power cuts regularly. He also appreciated the efforts of PDD officers and officials for braving the weather and visiting problematic areas and resolving the power issues.
In his welcome address, Principal Secretary, Power Development Department, Rohit Kansal gave an overview of the hydropower potential of J&K. He said that the initiative will add more than 3500 MW of energy and will thus help J&K become power surplus UT. “We have a natural advantage in hydropower, so we need to exploit it for the benefit of the people,” he added.
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