Srinagar, June 17: Power giant, National Hydro Electric Power Corporation (NHPC) has committed to the state government to pay Rs 150 crore as part of the water usage charges levied to it as per the provisions of J&K Water Resources Act-2010.
This was disclosed in a high level meeting convened Friday by Minister for PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control, Taj Mohi-ud-Din to discuss issues pertaining to the NHPC, an official handout said.
The meeting was told that Chairman and Managing Director of NHPC has conveyed to the Commissioner-Secretary, PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control the commitment of the Corporation to deposit Rs 150 crore levied to it by the state government under the provisions of J&K Water Resources Act-2010 for the last two quarters.
The meeting also discussed in detail the writ petition filed by the Corporation in the High Court in this regard. The Minister advised the officers to file the position of the State with the court based on facts and supported by relevant records. The High Court, it may be recalled, has rejected NHPC plea of not paying water usage charges to the Government.
The meeting also discussed the process of licensing of water usage to companies and the relevant documentation for it.
Addressing the meeting, the Minister said the state is the sole proprietor of water resources as per the Act and any violation of the Act by any water user can lead it to its automatic termination.
Taj said the amount received on account of water usage charges would be used to revert back hydro projects  to the state which have completed their depreciation period like Uri-I.
Advocate General, MI Qadri, Secretary, Law, GH Tantray, Chief Engineer, Irrigation & Flood Control, Kashmir, Consultant, PHE, AK Abrol and other officers were present in the meeting.

Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Fri, 17 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
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