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| Standoff between JK government, NHPC continues, both hardened their stand | | | Bashir Assad
Srinagar, June 13: As the war between the state government and National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) hots up with chief minister Omar Abdullah not satisfied with the share of free power -the state is getting from the hydroelectric power projects run by the corporation, the stand-off has taken a new turn over the mode and ratio of employment being offered to the locals in various HEPs.Though the differences between the state government and NHPC are sharpening with each passing day, new dimensions to the stand off have made it virtually difficult for both to come to the terms. Sources close to power corridors told Early Times that while the state government on one hand has been vociferously asking of increase in share of free power in accordance to the provisions of earlier agreements, its demand for providing employment to the locals in the NHPC run power projects as per the cabinet decision of 2000 is likely to take centre stage in the coming days.Sources said that state government will hardened its stand on cabinet decision No. 158/15 dated 4-10-2000 and will strive for its implementation in letter and spirit -a prerequisite to end the stalemate. Pertinently construction work on Uri-II HEP remains suspended since February 2012 as the locals demand adequate employment in the project-a demand which has been turned-down by NHPC resulting in prolonged strike in the project. State government has been complaining that NHPC was contemptuous towards local laws on one hand and on the other hand it was violating the agreements reached upon between the parties from time to time. The cabinet decision of September 2000 reads….In the projects to be constructed by NHPC, adequate share in employment will be provided to the people of the state with following general guidelines: (a) Class III and Class IV posts will be filled up from the local areas. (b) 30% officers and engineers will be taken on deputation from the state.(c) In direct recruitment of other vacancies preference will be given to the applicants from the state. However, in total breach of the cabinet order of year 2000 which also rectified the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) reached upon earlier during the same year signed by the then chief minister Dr. Farooq Abdullah and the then Union Power minister Kumaramangalam which had restricted the employment against class III and IV in the power projects under execution only after the adjustment of surplus staff of NHPC . The differences over employment of local youth between the state government and NHPC grew in the month of February this year with reference to Uri-II HEP, however, state government started demanding implementation of the cabinet order of 2000 in letter and spirit which pertains to the execution of Kishanganga (330 MW), Uri II (280 MW), Bursar (1020 MW), Sewa II (120 MW), Pakhandool (1000 MW), Nimu Bazgo (30 MW) and Chothak (18 MW). Sources said that despite intervention of Home Minister P Chidambaram earlier this week, the war of words continued with both state government and NHPC hardening their respective stands. Sources said Delhi is disturbed with the continued logjam over the issue and finally Chidambaram had to intervene. The meeting, sources said, is being fixed in next few days.
Meanwhile, Taj confirmed that the home minister called him. The war over following the cabinet orders and not the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the central and state governments over setting up of power projects has taken a different turn with both sides sticking to their stands.
While NHPC insists that MoU signed by then Chief Minister Farooq Abdullah and then Union Power Minister P R Kumaramangalam should be the basis for running the projects, the state government holds the view that the MoUs along with the amendments made by the cabinet should be adhered in going ahead with the arrangements.
The MoU was signed in 2000 to facilitate the construction of seven power projects -- Kishanganga (330 MW), Uri II (280 MW), Bursar (1020 MW), Sewa II (120 MW), Pakhandool (1000 MW), Nimu Bazgo (30 MW) and Chothak (18 MW) -- by NHPC.
Initially, NHPC had agreed to make recruitment of class III and IV in these projects through employment exchanges of the State after adjustment of surplus staff. But latter the power giant of India showed utter disregard to the decisions of the state government. "They say we don't care for cabinet and will go by MoU," Taj Mohiuddin, minister for PHE , Irrigation and Flood Control told Early Times. He said he told NHPC in unequivocal terms that cabinet was supreme and its decision was binding on us. "Cabinet has power even to scrap the MoU," he asserted.
He is learnt to have told the Executive Director of NHPC, who had a two hour long meeting with the minister on Sunday that nothing will happen unless the cabinet decision is implemented. "We have to give license for running the power project and cannot give that without taking into account the cabinet decision," the minister said.
The stand-off on both sides has led to strike in Uri power project by the workers, who are demanding their adjustment in the power house.
The minister said they are justified in doing so as the government has promised them that they will be adjusted.
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