J-K Govt demands transfer of NHPC-owned power projects

The Jammu and Kashmir government has demanded transfer of NHPC-owned power projects to the state besides ensuring a share in the PSU's profits accruing from its water resources.
Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh, who holds the power portfolio, today demanded the transfer of NHPC-owned power projects in state to Jammu and Kashmir and asked the corporation to share its profit with the state for using its water resources.
Singh was speaking at a conference of Power, Renewable Energy and Mines Ministers of states and UTs at Guwahati in Assam, an official spokesman said here today.
The Deputy Chief Minister said that the BJP-PDP coalition in the state has a development agenda which mostly revolves around the power sector and it is a necessity to create a hydro-power fund at national level as requisite investments for hydropower projects are generally beyond the ability of states.

He said the Centre should consider funding the development of roads leading to key hydropower projects coming up in the Chenab basin located in hilly and difficult terrain of the state with poor physical connectivity.
Singh demanded allocation of a new coal block with good reserve for generation of thermal power as well as a share in the thermal power to be produced from the Ultra Mega Power Projects announced in this year's Union budget.

He also urged the central government to help Jammu and Kashmir to establish a State Power Training Institute in the name of Chenab Power Management and Training Institute to undertake focused Skill Development Programme for youth to contribute in the development of power sector.

Singh raised the issue of the necessity of single window clearance at the central level for timely clearance as harnessing of hydropower potential faces many difficulties which include cumbersome clearance process, inadequate availability of funds, difficult hilly terrain, and so on.
He also requested Ministry of Power, Government of India to allocate share to Jammu and Kashmir for Ultra Mega Thermal Power Stations and also asked to allocate 1000 MW of unallocated quota of thermal power for development of solar power in Ladakh region.