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| Omar forgets Jammu industry in Jammu | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
JAMMU, June 20: The Chief Minister's powerpoint presentation won him acclaim from the Prime Minister during his recent visit to the state. Today, he impressed Dr Montek Singh Ahluwalia as well. But the powerpoint presentation notwithstanding, the state gets only 9% increase (500 cr) above last year's approved plan of Rs 5,500 crores.
Unfortunately present inflation rate is hovering around 16-20 % and mere 9% increase will not be sufficient for Omar to meet his commitments. The munch acclaimed powerpoint presentation though impressed Mountek but he did not mince words when he told Omar that much was needed to be done on power front, where there was lot of potential (Chenab can produce more than 20,000 mega watts) but the State only projected 600 odd mega watts which could be added in the system by the end of this plan.
Shockingly Omar's thrust in his powerpoint presentation was only on horticulture and tourism. He did not make a mention about industries which had ensured for Jammu a place on the industrial map of India.
Jammu Kashmir is rich in minerals and the planning commission has time and again suggested effective, proper and total exploitation of the resources. However, with a almost defunct Geology and Mining department and the Indus Water Treaty hovering over the state, the young and dynamic Chief Minister can only move a resolution for nullification of the treaty which gave Pakistan extensive rights over state waters.
It is a pity that the government of India has not been able to make the world body understand that mere power generation without diverting the water for irrigation maintains the quantity of discharge and does not violate the infamous treaty.
Baglihar is a classical example where despite Pakistan's objections which affected generation to the extent of 100 Mega Watts, the environment of entire district has changed since last year.
It may be recalled that before the lake was developed, Doda had been witnessing a drought like situation. But now it rains every second day making this drought hit area suitable for tea cultivation.
Omar's strategy, therefore, should have been two pronged. Besides throwing his weight rightly behind horticulture and tourism, he should have projected industry as a measure resource to augment the state's depleting financial setup.
The Chief Minister needs to follow his dad's counsel. He said: Exploit the power potential to its fullest but at the same time reduce the rates so as to attract multinationals to invest in Jammu or Kashmir with cheap power and mineral resources, and do not worry about the market."
The young Abdullah has to keep his eyes wide open. Apart from reacting to PDP overtures, he has to take measures to treat Kashmir and Jammu as individual entities.
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