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| PDP sets tough condition for alliance with BJP | | Party wants immediate return of Salal and Uri-I power projects to J&K | | Peerzada Ummer
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Jan 18: The PDP, ahead of entering into the alliance with the BJP has set the condition of returning two vital power projects from NHPC to J&K, maintaining that the union government must fulfill the demands to continue the coalition in JK.
Sources within the PDP said that the party has sent a clear message to the BJP high command in New Delhi that it has to return the two power projects, Salal and Uri-I to Jammu and Kashmir so that the government of the BJP- PDP coalition would continue in the state. "It was already agreed upon by both the parties that he return of the power projects from the NHPC would pave way for the new beginning in the state. It is the high time that GOI must pay heed to this," said a senior party leader, adding that it is a foremost condition set by the PDP to the union government.
Pertinent to mention here that Salal, Uri, Dulhasti and the Sewa II power projects were under NHPC and generate 1680 MW of electricity. But the state's share is a mere 12 per cent. The state is producing 308 MW from projects regulated and run by the Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSDC), falling under the state sector excluding the Baglihar project which produces another 758 MW. The total requirement, both domestic and industrial, of the state is 2500 MW.
Every year the state purchases power from the NHPC worth billions of rupees and despite having the potential of generating 30,000 MW of power, 25 per cent of state's population, as per figures, is without electricity.
With the BJP- PDP bonhomie witnessing a new beginning, the conditions set by the PDP chief could act as main game changers into the entire process. Sources said that the PDP president Mehbobba Mufti has informed the BJP high command that her party would not be ready to re-enter into the alliance until atleast two power projects are transferred from NHPC to JK.
Sources divulged further that during Mehbooba's informal meet with some BJP ministers at the union government and senior leaders, she has categorically stated that the alliance would not be able to move on until the two power projects aren't returned. Reports also informed that Mehbooba has communicated to the BJP general secretary Ram Madhav that the union government has to transfer Salal and Uri-i to the state if it wants the BJP-PDP coalition to continue.
Pertinently, the Union Power Ministry on March 23, last year, had said it can't transfer power projects owned by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to Jammu and Kashmir, citing 'legal and financial problems.' Such a response from the union power ministry came at the time when the state government was repeatedly saying that it was negotiating with New Delhi on return of two power projects-390 MW Dul Hasti and 480 MW Uri I-from NHPC to the State. In their reports to former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, different panels set up to recommend boosting State's economic scenario-Working Group on economic development of JK, Rangarajan Committee and Task Force on development of the State-had recommended transfer of the two power projects. |
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