CPI (M) leader and MLA Kulgam Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami said the RTI disclosures on huge earnings of NHPC from J&K based power projects, are an ample justification for the demand of return of power projects to Jammu and Kashmir.“The RTI revelation about NHPC’s earning of Rs 19000 crore from J&K has excluded the economic drain that has been incurred on J&K by the ruthless Indus Water Treaty. J&K is made to bear a recurring loss of billions of dollars annually besides limiting this state to harness its 15000 MW power generation potential,” Tarigami said while urging the central government to compensate these losses.In a statement issued to KNS, Tarigami said the Union government must go through various recommendations made by Rangarajan Committee that advocated return of certain hydroelectric power projects to the State free of cost.
The CPI (M) leader said the working group formed by the then Prime Minister after the Round Table Conference in 2005 to look into the economic affairs of the state had also supported the persistent and legitimate public demand for return of power projects to the state.Similarly he said that raising free power quota from existing 12 per cent to 30 per cent in all Centre Sector Hydroelectric Projects (HEPs) in the state is a rightful demand which should be fulfilled if the union government is serious to streamline the precarious power situation in Jammu and Kashmir. (KNS)