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| NHPC rejects proposal for return of HEPs to the state | | | Bashir Assad
Srinagar, May 22: As the differences between the state government and the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) are gulping down with each passing day which seem to be a fair indication of the illegitimate supremacy power giant of India, it has finally turned down the proposal of the state government in regard to the return of three power projects to the state. so much so the corporation has completely backtracked from its commitment to provide employment opportunities to the locals in accordance to the agreements reached upon from time to time.
Sources within NHPC told Early Times that the Corporation has turned down the proposal of the state government to return Salal, Uri and Dulhasti Hydroelectric Power Projects to the state on the depreciated cost. NHPC's reluctance has come to the fore well before the state government could formally send a proposal to central government/NHPC through Power Development Department which according to reliable sources is yet to prepare a formal note as was decided by the state cabinet.
Sources said the Cabinet Sub Committee Report presented to the Union Power Ministry by PHE Minister, Taj Mohi-ud-din earlier this month has been examined by the ministry as also by NHPC and it was in this backdrop that NHPC has categorically rejected the state government's plea for return of power projects to the state.
Sources further averred that in complete disregard to the agreements reached upon from time to time between the centre and the state governments, NHPC has shown its reluctance to engage locals in the power projects in the state. Pertinently 76% of the total assets of NHPC are located in J&K and it generates 52% of its total revenue from Jammu and Kashmir State.
Meanwhile, the state government today constituted a Task Force to look into the circumstances of misplacement Cabinet Decision No.328 dated 21-06-1975. The Task Force was constituted in reference to look into circumstance of Cabinet Decision No. 28/05/2012 dated: 15.02.2012. The order reads, " Sanction is hereby accorded to the constitution of Task Force, comprising the following, to look into the circumstances leading to the misplacement of records pertaining to Cabinet Decision No. 328 dated:21.06.1975 and also fix the responsibility for the lapse:- 1. I Administrative Secretary General Administration Department. I Chairman I 2. I Additional Secretary to Government GAD, Member, Additional Secretary PDD, Member and Additional secretary Governor Secretariat- member".
Pertinently the file bearing No. PD/IV/243/72 containing all the correspondence with regard to NHPC projects is not available with the concerned departments, the guidelines formulated and approved by the cabinet vide cabinet decision no. 328 of 21.06.1975 and communicated to the Ministry of Energy, Govt. of India vide letter no. PD/IV/243/72 dated 21.07.1975 have been completely flouted in absence of the original file.
Missing of the aforementioned government order from the official records is attributed to some deep rooted conspiracy hatched in late seventies or early eighties to pave way for a fresh agreement with NHPC by compromising the interests of the state safeguarded by the earlier agreement. Comparing the guidelines formulated in the cabinet order of June 21, 1975 with each new agreement with NHPC, one finds that neither the quantum of power nor the rate at which it has to be made available to State Govt is being complied with. It has also breached the conditions governing the terms of return of power projects at the end of specified period. It merits a mention here that 100% Central government owned NHPC (now listed company) was incorporated as a joint stock company in 1975. According to its memorandum and articles of association (the charter of the company), its avowed objective among other things is to act as an agent of Central government and its institutions. It's responsibilities to State Govt inter-alia; include release of drinking and irrigation water, providing free power to State as per policy of Government of India (GoI), supply of power from the generating stations to the State Governments through State Electricity boards / Power Departments as per the allocation of Power from Ministry of Power, Govt. of India and in accordance with the guidelines and Tariffs as approved by Central Electricity Regulatory Commission. |
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