Jammu, June 30: Following a cold shoulder from the Union Power Ministry on the transfer of power projects from National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to the State, Jammu and Kashmir Government is contemplating to take up the matter with the Prime Minister’s Office.
 Well informed sources told Greater Kashmir that Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will be taking up the matter with Prime Minister’s Office and the process in this regard has been initiated.
 “The Chief Minister’s Office will be seeking appointment with the Prime Minister so that the report of the Cabinet Sub Committee - which has recommended buying back of 690 MW Salal and 480 MW Uri-I power projects at depreciated cost of Rs 2566 Crores from NHPC - is submitted to Dr Manmohan Singh,” authoritative sources claimed.
 They said that the State Government is understood to initiate the process following the detailed meeting between Minister of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohi-ud-din and Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde at New Delhi on June 28.
 The Chief Minister was apprised of the outcome of the meeting and the inability expressed by the union ministry to ensure the transfer of the power projects.
 When contacted, Taj Mohi-ud-din said that the meeting was discussed with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah and now he would take up the matter with PMO.
 “After the recently held meeting the work on Uri-II power project has also restarted, while the NHPC has also initiated the process to recruit locals as directed by Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde”, the minister said.
 After the recently held meeting at New Delhi, the Union Power Minister had asked NHPC to employ all 3rd and 4th class employees in Uri-II power project from among locals.
 Taj Mohi-ud-din had also submitted the CSC report to Union Power Minister but the latter had asked J&K Government to take up the matter with PMO.
GKNN ADDS FROM SALAMABAD (URI):
 Describing the Cabinet Sub Committee (CSC) report on the transfer of power projects to J&K as a historic document, Taj Mohi ud Din today hoped that the State would soon be getting back Salal and Uri-I power projects.
 Addressing a public meeting here today, the Minister said on their transfer back the two power projects would earn the State a revenue of Rs. 3500 crore annually. He said the Cabinet Sub Committee report on the transfer of power projects, which has been ratified by the state cabinet also, is a historic document which has clearly laid down guidelines for power usage agreements for future.
 Taj said the State Government would vigorously follow the transfer of these power projects back to the State. He said the keenness of the State Government can be gauged from the fact that Water Resources Act-2010 has been executed and implemented in the State in letter and spirit and it has enhanced the State income by a whopping 30%.
 Hailing the local people for facing the difficulties, including loss of land, during the construction of these projects, Taj said the meeting held at New Delhi between him and Union Power Minister has taken care of their grievances. He appealed people to end their 105-day long strike at the project site. He said their efforts have borne fruits and within a month’s period NHPC, the project executing agency, would recruit local youth to Class III and Class IV vacancies at the project. He said the company would also train these youth at ITI Uri for their absorption in the company.
 The Minister said as a sequel to the decisions in the meeting held at New Delhi, free power from these projects would be provided to all the BPL families in the catchment area. Also, he said, the company would be spending 1% of the project cost for development of the area.
 Taj thanked Union Power Minister and Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram for appreciating the concern and difficulties of the local people which they faced during the construction of these power projects. He also thanked Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for the concern he showed for the local people from time to time.

Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Jun 2012 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sat, 30 Jun 2012 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Sun, 1 Jul 2012 00:00:00 IST