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| NHPC, JK Govt lock horns at Delhi | | Work on Uri-II | | Early Times Report
Srinagar, May10: With egos running high on either side, resumption of construction work on Uri-II Hydroelectric Power Project in near future seems quite bleak as the Union Power Ministry has failed to break the deadlock between NHPC and the State Government over the question of implementation of Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
If sources are to be believed, Union Power Ministry which summoned minister for PHE and Irrigation Taj Mohiuddin and Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmad Khan the other day to sort out the issue, has failed in its efforts of reconciliation with both NHPC and the State Government holding their respective positions firmly. Pertinent to mention the State Government is adamant on its stand of engagement of local youth in the project as per the MoU which was approved by the State Cabinet.
Sources said that the State Government which was represented by Taj and Khan and NHPC represented by its chairman could not reach an agreement as both refused to compromise their respective stands.
Sources averred that Union Minister of State for Power KC Venugopal who had convened the meeting could not persuade the parties concerned to renegotiate the terms and conditions reached upon earlier.
They said that though the Minister tried his level best to convince the parties but failed in his efforts with Taj Mohiuddin doing much of the talking for about two hours leaving little scope for re-negotiation.
"In fact, at one point of time chairman NHPC threatened to restart work on the project with taking State Government into confidence on which Taj dared him to do so pointing towards Venugopal that water is a State Subject and Centre cannot unilaterally take any decision on it. "Water belongs to the States and Centre cannot make laws unilaterally over the waters without getting consent from the States" sources quoted Taj as having told the meeting.
"Go and start work, I will not change my stand unless the MoU is implemented in letter and spirit, work on the project cannot be resumed" sources quoted Taj as having told.
However, the meeting remained inconclusive as chairman NHPC was of the opinion that after adjusting surplus staff, it will engage local youth in the project which was not accepted by the State Government.
'As per the MoU, all class III and IV appointments shall be made locally which the NHPC has to honour, conveyed the State Government, however, NHPC was reluctant to accept this demand.
Work on the phase-II of Uri power project, being constructed by NHPC, was suspended following eruption of protests in the area over the killing of a student in CISF firing last year.
Meanwhile, a copy of the Cabinet Sub Committee (CSC) report on return of power projects was handed over to the Union Power Ministry for examination.
The CSC was constituted last year to review the pacts with NHPC on all power projects after mounting pressure from the civil society that came up with documental proof that NHPC was holding on some major power projects in the State "illegally." Though State Government asserted that it will buy back the projects from the NHPC, the latter said it had no intention of that kind.
State Cabinet has approved the recommendations of the CSC but till today it has not communicated to the Centre its stand. Power Development Department was told to prepare a note which will be forwarded to the Central Government but three months down the lane, it has not drafted the letter which seems to be fishy.
Last March, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah told Legislative Assembly that NHPC does not want to return the projects as it is earning more than 50 percent of revenue from Jammu and Kashmir. |
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