Excelsior Correspondent
NEW DELHI, Sept 10: 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 Pakuldul 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.
Expressing pleasure over the implementation of Phase-II of RGGVY by the Union Government, the Chief Minister advocated special dispensation to Jammu and Kashmir for lowering the population criteria of 100 souls per hamlet to 50 souls so that RGGVY Phase-II is extended to people living in hilly and remote areas in the State.
He said under the RGGVY-I 14 projects are under implementation in the State and as against 239 un-electrified villages 187 have been electrified and as against the target of covering 3525 partially electrified villages, intensive electrification in 2962 villages has been achieved and 5140 un-electrified hamlets have also been covered as against the target of covering 6572 partially electrified and un-electrified hamlets.
Omar said that R-APDRP is under implementation in 30 towns of Jammu and Kashmir State and implementation of Part-B of the scheme is commencing soon. He said the work under Part-A is in progress. He expressed gratitude to Union Government for considering addition of 10 more towns under the scheme, expressing hope that the scheme will be further expended to all 283 towns with the population of 4000 souls.
The Chief Minister thanked the Prime Minister and the Union Power Ministry for allocating 150 MWs from unallocated quota to mitigate power shortage in the State. He also expressed gratitude to Union Government for sanctioning a Coal Block which has been a long pending demand of the State.
Highlighting the importance of adequate and compatible transmission network for evacuation of power, the Chief Minister underscored the need for developing a comprehensive and integrated transmission network instead of laying individual dedicated power lines.
He also made a point for construction of pooling station of 765 KV level in the area so that upcoming projects can conveniently evacuate power to any part of the Country. He said 1850 MW power generation coming up in Ladakh region cannot be harnessed unless Srinagar-Kargil-Leh Transmission Line of adequate capacity is executed on priority. He stressed on speeding up the work on this important project.
While mentioning the broad initiative taken by the State to harness Geothermal potential, the Chief Minister mentioned 5 MW Technology-cum-Demonstration-cum-Resource Assessment Geothermal Project being set up in Puga Leh. “This is essentially an R&D activity aimed at generating sufficient data to pave way for development of the main reservoir. The project needs to be fully funded by Ministry of New and Renewable Energy as recommended by the expert committee”, he maintained.
Omar also mentioned the initiatives taken by the State Government to reduce AT&C losses by about 9 per cent during 2012-13 and T&D losses by 4.6 per cent. “We have started unbundling and four companies have been incorporated for the purpose. We are also implementing key reforms in the power sector”, he said.
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