Excelsior Correspondent
TANGMARG, July 4: Equating self-reliance in power production with financial autonomy, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said the state’s future lies in optimum use of water resources for power generation.
“My target is to make Jammu and Kashmir a power surplus State and strengthen its economy to such a level from where it need not plead for Central assistance time and again for every development work,” Abdullah said after inaugurating the Drungi Micro Hydro Power Project on Ferozpur Nallah here, 45 km from Srinagar.
The project, launched by a local company, was completed at a cost of Rs 90 crore and was financed by Jammu and Kashmir Bank. It will provide electricity to areas in Tangmarg and Gulmarg.
The Chief Minister said various projects with a combined generation capacity of 9,000 MWs are under implementation.
Abdullah said after he persuaded the Union Government, the Centre allotted a 130 million tonne coal block for Jammu and Kashmir, which would enable the State to generate 1,000 MW of power for 25 to 30 years.
“I may not be in a position to sell this achievement during the 2014 elections as work on establishing a thermal power project may take some time,” the Chief Minister said.
However, the State Government has made a “remarkable dent” in the power generation sector to bring welfare and financial autonomy to Jammu and Kashmir, he said.
Meanwhile, Abdullah said Jammu and Kashmir has sustained constant and irrevocable losses due to the Indus Water Treaty between India and Pakistan on sharing river water.
“All the three rivers of Jammu and Kashmir were given to Pakistan without having any care for the future of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.
Production of energy from water resources is not only one of the cheapest forms of power generation, it is also environment friendly, said Abdullah, adding that holistic development of the State and the welfare of its people lies in power development.
The Government has flagged power as one of the important sectors in the state’s policy planning, he said.
Developing the power sector and taking care of production, distribution and transmission are key focus areas for the State Government, the CM added.
The CM said hydel power projects with 9,000 MW of capacity have been targeted for construction during the 12th and 13th Five Year Plans under the State, Centre and IPP sectors and this initiative would help the State to generate more power than needed locally.
Abdullah said since taking over as Chief Minister, he has focused on indigenous power generation with the aim of utilising the maximum 20,000 MW of generation capacity available in the state.
A new hydel policy was notified in 2011 and a power company was set up to boost electricity generation in the state, he said.
“My target is to realise the dream of the people of the State to relish 24-hour power supply and also export the surplus to other states,” Abdullah said.
He urged local entrepreneurs to take up projects reserved for them under the new hydel policy, saying Jammu and Kashmir Bank has been asked to provide finance for them.
“Investment in the power sector will always be a gainful economic activity for entrepreneurs,” the Chief Minister said.
While tourism can improve the economy and generate various job-oriented activities, it cannot make good the financial deficit of the State, the Chief Minister said. The State’s annual income is just over Rs 7,000 crore, while expenditure on salaries of Government employees alone is Rs 13,500 crore.
“The Government is not receiving any tax from the tourism sector and this sector is also not as vibrant as the power sector, which can revolutionise our economy,” said Abdullah, referring to major hydro electro projects like Ratle, Baglihar-II and others being constructed in the State, particularly in Chenab Valley.
Mr Abdullah expressed his displeasure over the reports of uncalled pressure tactics by the ‘pony-wallas’ on tourists at the famous hill resort of Gulmarg, saying such a behaviour is against the traditional hospitality of the Valley.
The Chief Minister said the hospitality and high quality service to tourists which has remained the traditional trait of the people of the Valley, should be maintained under all circumstances and its impact should be visible from the faces of visitors.
“We have reports that there are about 7,000 Pony-wallas operating in Gulmarg as against 1,500 registered. Their functioning and treatment with the tourists is not upto the standard as should have been.
“We could have not allowed the unregistered ones to work but for their livelihood Government is not taking this step. However, it should not mar the basics of tourism trade and create bad impression in the minds of visitors,” Omar said.
“If it goes unchecked the day will come when tourists do not like to visit Gulmarg,” he said and asked Pony-wallas and others in tourism trade to sit with the concerned Government departments and work out strategy and situation where they could earn their livelihood respectfully as also earn the most required good will of the tourists.
“Honesty and high manners should remain the character and characteristic of every stakeholder in tourism and tourist trade to help its flourishing and strengthening.
“Your impact and well behaviour should encourage visitors to visit here again and again”, Omar said, adding, the income earning from tourist sector is the right of all but it should not be at the cost of the name and fame of the State.
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