Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 26: PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti today alleged that after the takeover of J&K’s water resources and minerals by the Government of India, the focus has now shifted towards the vast lithium reserves that lie beneath the region’s surface.
“While the electricity generated by J&K has historically been supplied to other regions, sometimes even free of cost, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have often found themselves in darkness due to inadequate power supply. Now, with the exploitation of these lithium reserves on the horizon, there are concerns that the benefits may not adequately reach the local population,” she said in a statement issued here today.
Mehbooba expressed apprehension that the lithium reserves in Jammu will be exploited and offered to the crony capitalists associated with the ruling BJP, potentially depriving the people of Jammu and Kashmir of their fair share in the wealth generated from these resources.
Claiming that the countries with the highest lithium reserves, such as Australia, Chile, and China, have set examples of responsible resource management and transparent allocation of benefits to their citizens, Mehbooba Mufti insisted that the Government of India must follow suit in ensuring the equitable distribution of the wealth generated from J&K’s lithium reserves.
In light of these concerns, Mehbooba Mufti demanded accountability from the Government of India regarding the share that J&KI will receive from the exploitation of its lithium reserves. She emphasized the need for transparency, fair compensation, and the active involvement of local stakeholders in the decision-making process.
Maintaining that the issue of lithium reserves is of immense significance not only for the region but for the entire nation, Mufti called upon all concerned citizens and stakeholders to join her in advocating for a fair and just distribution of the benefits derived from these valuable resources.
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