news details |
|
|
| Bhatinda-Srinagar gas pipeline remains a distant dream | | Proposed Bill likely to miss Budget Session | | Akshay Azad
JAMMU, Mar 20: Even as the current budget session of the State legislature is coming to an end, the possibility of tabling a vital bill on Bhatinda-Srinagar gas pipeline seems quite bleak. The project, therefore, is likely to get delayed.
According to sources, the draft bill Jammu and Kashmir Underground Public Utilities (Acquisition of rights of user in land) Bill 2013 forwarded by the Revenue Department for consideration of the Law Department has been returned for observations of the Finance Department. Sources said the bill was forwarded to the Finance Department without changes. However, the Finance Department has returned the bill raising queries regarding financial matters.
The Revenue department had not explained about the financial implications of the gas pipeline project, sources said, adding that the Finance department asked Revenue, as how much of investment would be made by the company for laying gas-pipeline?, How much component of total investment would be utilized for land compensation ? There are other questions as well.
"The project has great relevance for energy starved State like Jammu and Kashmir but the Revenue department had done a half hearted exercise in finalizing the draft bill, due to which the bill is still running from one table to another at Civil Secretariat" an official said, adding that there were bleak possibilities of introduction of Bill in the ongoing budget session.
He further said that the draft bill, after getting nod of Finance department would return to Revenue, following which same would go to Law department, then to Revenue and lastly to Cabinet. After getting Cabinet nod, the bill will be tabled in Assembly. "There are only 12 working days left in the current budget session and the legislators have to do a lot of business. There seem very little chances of introduction of bill in ongoing budget session", an official rued.
"If the Government fails to introduce bill in ongoing budget session, an ordinance would be required to start work and we are heading towards that. Pertinent to mention the Bill has to be tabled in the legislature as there is no provision to grant leasehold rights of land to any non-State Subject entity to lay underground pipes in the State.
The Central Act - Petroleum and Natural Gas Pipeline (Acquisition of Right of User) Act 1962 is not implemented in Jammu and Kashmir due to special status of the State. Local laws including J&K Land Acquisition Act and Immovability Property Act have no provision under which the State could provide Right of User to Gujarat State Petronet Limited (GSPL).
The proposed gas pipeline will be 328 km long main gas trunk from Bhatinda to Srinagar passing through Kathua, Samba, Jammu, Udhampur, Ramban, Anantnag and Pulwama. There will be hundreds of sub-lines which will supply gas to the consumers in their houses. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
