news details |
|
|
| Fresh controversy over employment of locals | | 'State government versus NHPC' | | Early Times Report
JAMMU, Dec 27: The dust on handing over two major power protects to the state by NHPC has not settled, the ratio and nature of employment being provided to the locals by NHPC has become yet another contentious issue between the government and India's Power Giant.
According to sources, the state government Tuesday conveyed its displeasure over the ratio of C&D class staff absorbed by NHPC in J&K which according to the government, is far less than what has been agreed upon by the Ministry of Power, Government of India and the State Government through an agreement in the year 2000.
Sources disclosed that a senior official of NHPC today called on Minister for PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohiudin here at Jammu and tried his best to convince the minister by projecting the figures of employment made available to the local youth. The Minister, however, hit back by tabling the actual figures and nature of employment being offered to the locals.
It merits a mention here that P.R. Kumaramangalam Union Minister of Power and Dr. Farooq Abdullah, Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir had signed a Memorandum of Understanding on July 20, 2000 for execution of 7 hydroelectric power projects in Jammu and Kashmir.
As per the MoU, ...requirement of C&D posts will be met by NHPC through local employment exchanges in J&K. For group A & B posts, 30% personnel will be taken by NHPC on deputation from the J&K government.
Sources said that Taj was of the firm belief that the ratio of local employees in all the seven projects was far below than what was required as per the provisions of the MoU. "I will not budge an inch of my demand for employing local manpower in Kishenganga, Uri-II, Bursar, Sewa-II Pakal Dul, Nimmo Bazgo and Chutak in accordance to the provisions of the agreement" sources quoted Taj as having said.
Pertinently, the Cabinet Sub Committee on power headed by Finance Minister Ab. Rahim Rather has, reportedly finalized the draft report which is to be submitted to the cabinet within a few days. "The report drafted by the Principal Secretary to the government, Power Development Department was discussed in the CSC which met here on 23rd of this month and a number of changes were suggested by the members of which were adopted and the report is currently under print" sources said. Today's verbal dual between Taj Mohiuddin and NHPC is seen from that perspective, sources opined. "You are misinterpreting the MoU which will not be tolerated, go by the terms of the agreement and give us the due share as for the employment is concerned" Taj told NHPC official.
The state government, sources added, has decided to harden its stand to take back Uri-I and Salal power projects from NHPC owing to the pressure from civil society groups. It also merits a mention here that the Civil society group spearheading the campaign for return of power projects to the state is reportedly drafting a Public Interest Litigation a fresh and senior Advocate, Altaf Haqani has almost completed drafting of PIL which would be discussed by the group in next few days.
Presently the group is busy in organizing a seminar on "Management of Water Resources in Jammu and Kashmir" scheduled for January 10, in university of Jammu. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
STOCK UPDATE |
|
|
 |
| BSE
Sensex |
 |
| NSE
Nifty |
|
|
| |
CRICKET UPDATE |
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
