Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday asked officials to assess the losses to the State on account of the Indus Water Treaty.
“Time has come to formally assess all the losses which the Jammu and Kashmir State has suffered in sequel to the Indus-Water Treaty, by utilising the services of reputed consultants so that the authentic figure of such losses is projected at relevant meetings for compensation whatever becomes due,” Mr. Abdullah said, chairing a meeting of the Board of Directors of the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKPDC).
Mr. Abdullah approved the proposal for streamlining and reorganisation of the JKPDC so that it would emerge as one of the ideal and powerful corporations like the J&K Bank, and all the staff were able to enjoy full incentives and job benefits. He stressed upon the need for generating full efficiency in the Corporation to achieve the target of tapping 3,000 MW of power during the next four years. It would not only make J&K self-sufficient in hydel power also help it earn huge revenue out of surplus power.
The meeting was informed that the JKPDC was geared up to clear all projects on a fast-track basis, so that the target fixed for harnessing the rich hydel potential of the State was achieved in a time-bound manner.
All formalities, including tariff bidding, had been completed to kickstart the ambitious 690 MW Ratlay power project. The State would be able to receive 15 per cent free power and additional 1 per cent cost would be spent on the development of Kishtwar area, where the Ratlay project was being launched. Similarly, 55 per cent power would be provided to the State on Rs.1.44 per unit.
The Chief Minister directed the JKPDC to take up the challenge and start seriously working for making the State one of the ideal and efficient power-generating States.
He said wherever new power projects were being taken up special attention would be made to develop the area as well and create ideal developmental infrastructure in the particular area. The Chief Minister said he was satisfied with the road map which had been presented for developing different power projects.
The Board also reviewed the construction work of the Baglihar stage II Power Project. The JKPDC was determined to ensure completion of the project within the targeted period of 2012.
The Board also reviewed 93 MW Ganderbal and 240 MW Karthai power projects.
