NHPC defaults

National Hydroelectric Power Corporation, the prestigious PSU of the Government of India with branches all over the country including J&K, is not adhering to some of the mandated rules that affect the people of the area where their projects are running. Rules prescribed under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), stipulate that the organization is supposed to utilize defined percentage of Profit after Tax (PAT) for the welfare of the residents of localities living within ten kilometer parameter of the project. This rule was set forth in view of the difficulties or deprivations which the local residents would have to face once the project begins to be executed and brought to completion. Education, health services, sanitation and other civic amenities are included in the areas that NHPC is supposed to cater to under the CSR. However the Committee on Public Undertakings of the Legislature which recently concluded its official visit to various project run by NHPC has come to know that the organization has not adhered to the CSR and has never undertaken any project big or small meant for in  development of the area of operation. This is not true only of smaller projects but also of the big projects like Dul Hasti and Salal.
NHPC is a very prestigious organization floated by the Government of India. Of all the projects this one should have the strongest motivation of working towards public good. Ultimate objective of development is to raise the standard of living of common man and bring him closer to a decent and comfortable life. Generally the benchmark projects are located in remote areas where not only various social services but even accessibility is very scanty. It means that the people are generally living a life below poverty line. They are the most deserving people and need to be provided civic facilities on priority basis. It does not behoove NHPC with its widespread reputation to deny the poor villagers their rights. The Committee was shocked to note that not in a single case had the NHPC upheld the recommendations of the CSR in practice.
It is a sordid fact that the prestigious organisation has even ignored the local leadership like the Sar Panchs and the MLAs in execution of the works related to the development of the localities where it is engaged in generating power. NHPC has not considered it feasible to have consultations even with the District Development Commissioner who is the administrative head of the district. One cannot imagine the NHPC working in vacuum.  In a democratic state, peoples’ representatives have a crucial role to play and no organization can ignore that role. There has to be good and healthy rapport between the local leaders and the officials of the Corporation for smooth conduct of business. NHPC is not a company borrowed by the State to undertake these projects. It is part of country’s asset and has to prove its commitment to national interests. How sad that the villagers living within ten kilometers of the project are deprived of electricity that is being generated in close proximity. It doesn’t bring distinction to the organization rather people feel disappointed with it. We are not aware whether NHPC has adopted same policy in regard to power generating projects in other state of the Union.
NPHC authorities should immediately divert their attention to this fault and rectify it without loss of time. They will have to work out the total amount the organization was supposed to spend on local area development ever since it began generating electricity. This amount has to be identified and a proper mechanism has to be evolved for identifying the areas and the services that need to be considered for development. In this vital exercise local leadership and public representatives shall have to be taken on board. Close coordination with the State government and local administration is the pre-requisite.
NHPC has done a great job in bringing economic prosperity to the State. It has provided power not only to the cities and towns of the State but also to remote villages and hamlets which are usually perched atop high mountains and hillocks where bringing electricity is a formidable task. It deserves appreciation. However, a fault like the one that has been discussed in these lines should not obliterate the good and commendable work done by NHPC. We are sanguine that the authorities of NHPC will divert their attention to the issue that has been raised here and will find a solution that would satisfy the people of the region concerned.

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