‘J&K hasn’t sought return of power projects’

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 23: Claims by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for return of three power projects from National Hydro-electric Power Corporation (NHPC) notwithstanding, the Central Government today categorically stated that they have received no offer from Jammu and Kashmir Government for buy back of the projects of the NHPC in the State.
In a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today, Minister of State for Power (Independent Charge) Jyotiraditya M Scindia said: “no offer of Government of Jammu and Kashmir for buy back of the projects of NHPC in Jammu and Kashmir State has been received’’.
He added that the NHPC Limited is operating 5 Hydro Power Stations totaling installed capacity of 1724 MW in Jammu and Kashmir.
He mentioned 5 Power Stations as Salal (690 MW), Uri-I (480 MW), Dulhasti (390 MW), Sewa-II (120 MW) and Chutak (44 MW).
In addition to these five projects, two units of Nimoo Bazgo project—each 15 MW—have been synchronized at partial load and was likely to be commissioned at full road by October 2013.
It may be mentioned here that the Chief Minister has sought return of Dulhasti, Salal and Uri from the NHPC to the State Government and declared that no fresh project would be given to NHPC for execution till the projects were returned.