| Will denial of 1000MW additional power to Jammu be rolled back? | | Region left in lurch last year amid high revenues, helmsmen spectate | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Sept 16: At a time when the central government pledged that the otherwise ruthless discrimination with the Jammu region shall cease to exist, the million dollar question remains whether the order pertaining to 1000MW additional power supplied last year to Kashmir and denied to Jammu shall be rolled back.
As per the reports, officials within the regime have raised the issue related to the subject and have sought government's immediate attention towards such a ruthless discrimination that was witnessed last year in terms of the power generation.
As per the reports, the ?3,000 crore project executed by NRSS XXIX Transmission Limited, the PSV of Sterlite Power, included commissioning of three 400 kV Double Circuit transmission lines and one 400/220 kV GIS Substation to deliver over 1,000 MW of electricity from Punjab to the Kashmir Valley by strengthening the National Grid.
However, in Jammu, the power dearth was ought to remain as it was in the previous year and no additional supplies have been made for the region during the current year, divulge the sources privy to the development. It remains a mystery that why those who claim to be representing the aspirations of Jammu have maintained stoic silence over such a discrimination being done that too openly.
Meanwhile, the government despite providing less electricity to Jammu, has got more revenue from the region. Details inform that during the financial year of 2015-16, Kashmir paid a whooping Rs.237 crores less than Jammu. As Kashmir paid 837.17 crore rupees as electricity dues against 8142 MUs of power, Jammu paid a whooping 1074 Crore rupees against mere 6138 MUs of electricity.
During the current financial year, Jammu paid Rs 346 Cr. more than Kashmir Valley. As Kashmir paid 283.66 Cr rupees against 5161 MUs of electricity, Jammu paid 629.21 Cr rupees for using 522 MUs less than Kashmir that is 4639 MUs.
The emerging details are proving as a big slap for those who have been involved in anti- Jammu rants- claiming that the region while getting lion's share is paying less electricity dues while enjoying more power.
Also, under IPDS, Rs 202.27 crore would be utilized for upgrading of power infrastructure in Jammu region, while as Rs 222.22 crore in Kashmir region. Here again Jammu got Rs 20 cr less than Valley. The scheme aims at underground cabling of power lines, cutting line losses and many other things.
In another scheme called Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY), Jammu region has again been sanctioned 62 crore rupees less than Kashmir Valley. While Valley will get Rs 293.30 crore, Jammu will get whopping 62 crores less than Kashmir and that is Rs 231.45 crore.
The official data in possession of the Early Times reveal that 2004 Mega Units (MUs) less than Kashmir during the financial year of 2015-16. As Kashmir Valley was supplied with 8142 MUs, Jammu was given mere 6138 MUs, hence around two thousand MUs less than Kashmir Valley. |
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