Jammu, Feb 13: Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah, Monday said that Jammu and Kashmir has the potential to generate 20000 MWs of power from rivers and sell it to generate earnings for wide-ranging development and welfare works.   
 “I want to create a strong foundation for economic self-sufficiency of the state by utilizing its rich potential for hydro energy”, he said during an informal chat with a group of IPS probationers here.
 The Chief Minister said the economic strength of Jammu and Kashmir lies in its power sector. “My initiatives to generate maximum hydro energy and transform State’s economy are being carried forward significantly to make necessary dent in this direction,” he said.
 Maintaining that this is the only viable sector which can give considerable fillip to the economy of the state, he said, “We are in a position to generate 20000 MWs of power from our rivers.”
  He said the economic strength of Jammu and Kashmir lies in its power sector. “My initiatives to generate maximum hydro energy and transform State’s economy are being carried forward significantly to make necessary dent in this direction,” he said.
 The Chief Minister said that there is huge gap between income and expenditure in Jammu and Kashmir and he has to request the Central Government time and again for additional funds. “My desire is to make the State economically strong to stand upon its own feet”, he said asserting that power sector is only viable medium in this regard.
 Omar said that peace is imperative to make headway on the economic and development front, as such, the government endeavours positively works for restoration of permanent peace in the State.

Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Feb 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Feb 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Tue, 14 Feb 2012 00:00:00 IST