Reiterating its stand that hydel projects were disastrous for Chenab Valley, Peoples Democratic Party Kishtwar has called for district wide protest against the power construction companies for taking the local educated and technically qualified youth for ride.
Addressing a press conference here, Member Legislative Council Firdous Tak on Saturday threatened closure of the work on the ongoing Pakal Dul Hydel Project in case the issues pertaining to the local unemployed youth was land oustees were not addressed immediately.
“I am of firm belief that the hydel projects proposed on river Chenab will only be disastrous for the region as it will only bring destruction and ecological imbalance. The unfortunate part is that these projects, which were projected as opportunity for employment and economic upliftment, have only added to the misiries and frustration of the educated and unemployed youth of the region,” Tak said.
He called for Kishtwar bandh and chaka jam on September 25 followed by Dool Challoo on September 28. He invited all the political parties, trade unions, religious organisation and labour unions to come on a common platform to fight for the local population. “In case the demands are not met the locals will have no other alternate but to ensure closure of all undergoing works on the hydel projects in the district”.
The legislator was flanked by District President Advocate Sheikh Nasir Hussain, District President Trade Union Sajad Ahmed Dev, District President Youth Wasil Doolwal, District Secretary Ishtiyaq Hussain Waza and Jaffer Babzada.
He said that the construction companies have adopted appeasement policy at the behest of union power ministry and was playing in the hands of a particular political party. “The district administration is playing a dubious role of protecting the interest of the construction companies at the cost of the locals which speaks about a larger conspiracy,” he said.
The legislator said that NHPC and CVPP the two principal employers were recruiting people for the execution of the power projects from outside the state and particular outside the district. “NHPC is earning crores from Dul Hasti but around 90 per cent of its employees were from outside the state. While freshers were being employed from various professional colleges outside the state as part of campus recruitment process the local engineers, business graduates and technically qualified youth have been left at the mercy of God,” he said.
Tak said that state is the major share holder in CVPP but it was presently directly controlled by NHPC as more than 70 percent officers at the top level were from outside the state. “You can’t bring officers from outside and force the local youth to do menial jobs especially when the work is under progress in their backyard,” he said.
The residents of Marwah are up in arms against the proposal to construct Bursur Hydel Project but the union power ministry and NHPC is reluctant. “The project will bring disaster for the entire region and shall not be allowed at all”.
He said that district administration seems to be helpless before the hydel companies for some unknown reasons. “Around 30 workers of a particular political party were getting salary from NHPC from CSR head,” he alleged. “The work plan for the CSR and local area development was also being formulated at the behest of a political party”.