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| Azad discusses J-K centric CBMs, power situation with Pranab, Chidambaram | | | New Delhi, Jan 4
Chief Minister Mr. Ghulam Nabi Azad called on Minister for External Affairs Mr. Pranab Mukherjee here today in the context of latter’s forthcoming visit to Pakistan. Mr. Azad discussed Jammu and Kashmir specific CBMs with the Foreign Minister to be taken up during the talks with his Pakistani counterpart.
During the deliberations, focus was on opening of additional trans-Indo-Pak border passenger travel routes, including Kargil-Skardu, Jammu-Sialkot and Jhanger-Mirpur (Nowshera) links. Mr. Azad also reiterated the need for early start of trans-LOC trade through Srinagar-Muzaffarabad route describing it as a major economic step and important confidence building measure. The issues of long-pending proposed visit of J&K Chambers of Commerce and Industries team to Pakistan, and pilgrim tourism to revered shrines of Kashmiri Pandits and Sikhs in POK were also discussed.
Mr. Azad also called on Union Finance Minister Mr. P. Chidambaram. During the discussions, revenue deficit on account of J&K power budget to the tune of Rs. 1700 crore was deliberated upon. Mr. Azad briefed Finance Minister about the precarious power situation in the State of J&K. He requested the Finance Minister that in view of the unique situation of the State, Central Government may grant assistance of Rs. 1000 crore each for two consecutive years to overcome this deficit. He said that power consumed half of the State’s Plan, three-fourth of reconstruction plan and contributed less than 10 percent of the revenue. The power deficit in financial terms was much larger than the overall fiscal deficit.
Mr. Azad put the transmission and distribution losses at 47 percent besides 44 percent loss on each unit purchased and sold due to the difference in purchase and sale prices. However, he emphasized that as a part of understanding with the Ministry of Finance and Planning Commission, J&K Government was committed to bring in large-scale reforms in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, regulation and revenue collection. He conveyed that over one lakh electronic meters have been installed in the State and the pace of further metering is quite brisk.
Mr. Azad assured the Union Finance Minister that over a period of three years, as mutually agreed upon, the power situation through reforms such as electronic metering, energy audits, establishment of J&K Power Finance Commission, Power Development Corporation’s public offer, the problem would be overcome.
Mr. Chidambaram assured the J&K Chief Minister of du |
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