Why J&K NHPC hydel projects should be transferred to the state

By Dr Shaikh Ghulam Rasool*
The J&K RTI Movement calls for complete transparency in the ongoing negotiations between the Government of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K Govt) and the Government of India (GoI) regarding the transfer of hydro-electric (hydel) projects in the State, currently being executed by NHPC Ltd. Data recently revealed under the Central Right to Information Act, 2005 (RTI Act) shows that between 2001-2015, the NHPC has earned at least Rs. 194 billion (Rs. 19,431 crores) from the sale of power generated by the hydel projects based in J&K. Of this, J&K Govt. had paid Rs. 41 billion (Rs. 4,129 crores) to NHPC to buy 19.7% of the power that was generated by the hydel projects situated in the State. This information has been supplied by NHPC in response to an RTI application filed by Mr. Venkatesh Nayak of our partner organisation, Commonwealth Human Rights Initiative, New Delhi.
Seven hydel projects, namely, Kishanganga, Uri-II, Bursar, Sewa-II, Pakal Dul, Nimmo Bazgo and Chutak were handed over to the NHPC for funding, execution and operation over a period of 10 years under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between the J&K Govt. and GoI. The MoU was inked in the year 2000 in order to help J&K in its overall development apart from meeting its winter peak electricity requirements. The MoU also contains a clause requiring both parties to work out a methodology for “handing over these projects to J&K Govt. separately” and not a “buyback” of these projects as has been reported in a section of the media. A copy of the MoU, the RTI application and the responses received from NHPC are enclosed with this press statement.
A second RTI application filed by Mr. Nayak with the Union Power Ministry seeking copies of the correspondence between J&K Govt. and GoI regarding the transfer of the hydel projects back to J&K has been rejected by the NHPC on grounds of commercial interests as the “issue is not yet resolved”. Earlier, in March 2015, in reply to a question raised by Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar, Jenaab Tariq Hameed Karra (Unstarred Question #1771), the Union Power Minister had stated that the NDA Government had not accepted the recommendation of the J&K Group of Interlocutors made in 2012 to transfer these hydel projects as a socio-economic confidence building measure. J&K RTI Movement is pleased to note that the negotiations are continuing despite the Minister’s reply in Parliament. A copy of the RTI application and the rejection letter issued by NHPC to whom the RTI application was transferred by the Union Power Ministry are also enclosed with this press statement.
The power generation and sale data released by the NHPC under the RTI Act, shows that a total of 15,636 MUs (million units) of power were generated by these seven hydel projects in J&K from 2001 up to March 2016. However data regarding the sale of power by NHPC to various utilities has been made available only up to 2015. Under the 2000 MoU, J&K is to receive 12% of the power generated at these hydel projects free of charge. In addition to this quota, the MoU allows for the sale of 15% of the total quantum of power generated to J&K Govt. at bus bar rates. Figures disclosed by NHPC under the RTI Act shows that the actual quantum of sale to J&K for the period 2001-2015 is 19.7% of the total power generated. According to information available in the public domain, the Pakal Dul hydel project is yet to be completed.
More than 2/3rds of the power generated in J&K is sold to utilities outside J&K. Punjab is the largest buyer of power generated in J&K followed by Haryana, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh, in that order. According to NHPC data, the power generated by Chutak and Nimmo Bazgo hydel projects is being sold only to J&K.
In July, 2014 when the then MP from Anantnag, Ms. Mehbooba Mufti, had sought power generation and sales figures from NHPC in the Lok Sabha (Unstarred Question #2194), the Union Minister of State for Power had assured her that the data was being collected. It is not known whether the information was eventually supplied to her not. Thanks to RTI the power generation and sales data have been made public now. J&K RTI Movement believes that as the Chief Minister of J&K, Ms. Mufti now has a sworn duty of transparency regarding the continuing negotiations over the transfer of the hydel projects in J&K.
Data presented by the Union Minister for Power, in the Lok Sabha, in March 2015, also reveals that more than 40% of the power generated by NHPC across the country flows from J&K alone. In August 2015, the Central Government had admitted in the Lok Sabha that NHPC was a profit making public sector undertaking (Unstarred Question #2795). Earlier in April 2015, the Central Government revealed in the Lok Sabha that it had earned more than Rs. 21 billion (Rs. 2,131) crores by disinvesting some of its shares in NHPC (unstarred Question #5186). Another proposal for disinvestment of shares to the tune of 11.36% is under consideration (Lok Sabha Unstarred Question #2795). By no stretch of imagination are the finances of NHPC in the red.
While the data revealed under RTI shows that J&K is a power-surplus State, J&K RTI Movement is deeply concerned about the deteriorating power supply situation across the State. Precious public funds are being invested on polluting diesel generators to provide power supply to far flung areas when a large proportion of the clean energy generated in the State is being sold outside the State. J&K RTI Movement calls on the J&K Govt. under Ms. Mehbooba Mufti’s leadership to protect the interests of the State better, by negotiating vigourously for the handing over (and not buyback) of the hydel projects to J&K.
J&K RTI Movement is working with CHRI, New Delhi for the practical realisation of the people’s right to information and transparent governance in J&K. This press statement and the data obtained under RTI is being released to encourage informed public debate on the power situation in J&K.
—
*Chairperson, J&K RTI Movement, Srinagar

Comments

Dev Anand ably acted as westernised, urban educated, modern hero, as also anti-hero

By Harsh Thakor On September 26th we celebrated the birth centenary of legendary actor Dev Anand. Dev Saab carved out a new epoch or made a path breaking contribution in portraying romanticism and action in Bollywood cinema, giving his style or mannerisms a new colour. Arguably no Bollywood star manifested glamour in such a dignified or serene manner or struck the core of an audience’s soul in romantic melodies. Possibly we missed this evergreen star being cast in a Hollywood film. Dev Anand is like an inextinguishable soul of Bollywood. Although not as artistic or intense as Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor or Ashok Kumar ,Dev Anand surpassed them all for liveliness or flamboyance, with his performances radiating g energy on the screen, in realms rarely transcended. In his own right, Dev Saab, was a craftsman, like his classical contemporaries, with a characteristic composure. Perhaps never was a Bollywood star so suave, bubbling or charming as Dev Anand, who often looked like an Indian versi

Why Govt of India, Sangh Parivar want to stop the use of ‘India’? What's in a name?

By Ram Puniyani Coincidentally after the opposition parties came together to form INDIA (Indian National Democratic Inclusive Alliance), the ruling BJP is desisting from the use of word India in official communiqués and its parent organizations RSS has issued a fatwa that only word Bharat should be used for our country. While inviting the representative’s participants of G 20, the President issued the invitation in the name of ‘Rashtrapati of Bharat’. Since then BJP is on the track of avoiding the use of the word India in all its pronouncements, saying this word smacks of colonial legacy since this word was given to the country by British colonial rulers. Mr. Hemant Biswa Sarma of BJP said that word India is part of the colonial legacy and should be removed. RSS chief and other functionaries have intensified this message. Speaking at a function at Guwahati Mr. Bhagwat, stated “We must stop using the word India and start using Bharat. At times we use India to make those who speak Eng

Significant step towards empowering and particularly engaging with informal workers

ActionAid note on drive to empower informal sector workers Odisha with the support of District Labour Department: *** The Odisha Unorganised Workers Social Security Board (OUWSSB) facilitated an Unorganized Workers Awareness Camp at the Red Cross Bhawan in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. The event took place in collaboration with the District Labour Department at Khordha, Centre for Child and Women Development and ActionAid Association. This informative event aimed at empowering informal sector workers by disseminating crucial information regarding their eligibility for various social security schemes provided by the Government of Odisha.

Grassroots NGO enlightens people of Kupwara with intricacies of Right to Information

J&K RTI Foundation and Founder Civil Rights Movement Kupwara note on how RTI Pend is empowering Kupwara with insights on Right to Information Act: *** RTI Pend, the grassroots initiative aimed at democratizing access to information, hosted its 2nd event in Kupwara. On the request of the Civil Rights Movement Kupwara, this event was tailored to enlighten the people of Kupwara with the intricacies of the Right to Information Act, presented in their local language and dialects. The event successfully bridged both offline and online participation, addressing queries on the spot and offering applicants practical solutions.

Abrogation of Art 370: Increasing alienation, relentless repression, simmering conflict

One year after the abrogation by the Central Government of Art. 370 in Kashmir, what is the situation in the Valley. Have the promises of peace, normalcy and development been realised? What is the current status in the Valley? Here is a detailed note by the People’s Union for Civil Liberties , “Jammu & Kashmir: One Year after Abrogation of Art. 370: Increasing Alienation, Relentless Repression, Simmering Conflict”:

Why originality of Gandhi's thoughts, example of his life still inspire people world over

By Moin Qazi* Mahatma Gandhi's birth anniversary reopens a familiar debate around his legacy every year. How could a frail man use his moral strength to galvanize 400 million Indians in their struggle for independence from the mighty British Empire? How did Gandhi inspire ordinary people to turn fear into fearlessness and anger into love? What were his tools for fighting colonialism? How could he inspire the world to embrace his philosophy of nonviolence? What can we learn from him today? And is he still relevant?

Regretful: Kapil Dev retired not leaving Indian cricket with integrity he upheld

By Harsh Thakor Kapil Dev scaled heights as an entertainer and a player upholding the spirit of the game almost unparalleled in his era. In his time he was cricket’s ultimate mascot of sportsmanship On his day Kapil could dazzle in all departments to turn the tempo of game in the manner of a Tsunami breaking in. He radiated r energy, at a level rarely scaled in his era on a cricket field. Few ever blended aggression with artistry so comprehenisively. Although fast medium, he could be as daunting with the ball as the very best, with his crafty outswinger, offcutter, slower ball and ball that kicked from a good length. Inspite of bowling on docile tracks on the subcontinent, Kapil had 434 scalps, with virtually no assistance. I can never forget how he obtained pace and movement on flat pancakes, trapping the great Vivian Richards in Front or getting Geoff Boycott or Zaheer Abbas caught behind. No paceman carried the workload of his team’s bowling attack on his shoulders in his eras muc

Sewer workers not given ESI cards that would ensure health benefits they need the most

A note by the Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM), an organization working for the issues of sanitation workers in Delhi NCR, on right to life and dignity which still seems light years away for sewer workers: *** Exploitation of Sewer workers is not just a labour issue, but it is rooted in the caste system and cannot be separated from the historical socio-religious-cultural-economic exploitation of the Dalit community! Stated Mr. Y.S. Gill, Senior Journalist and Documentary Film maker in the press conference organised by Dalit Adivasi Shakti Adhikar Manch (DASAM) in Integrated Social Initiatives (ISI), Lodhi Road, New Delhi on issues of sewer workers in Delhi. The press conference was attended by a number of community members, activists, members of the civil society, students etc.

Agro-biodiversity through seed identification, conservation, replication, crop selection

By Kuntal Mukherjee, Basant Yadav, Shivnath Yadav* This article is mainly based on a journey of the three of us since 2010 based on field experience, study of different articles, reflective journeys with local community based organisations, villagers and practitioners in Chhattisgarh. The slow growth of Agriculture in India with near stagnation in productivity since mid ‘80s in contrast to the remarkable growth during the green revolution period has come to the front as a great concern. In post WTO era Indian Agriculture has been witnessing structural changes, uncontrolled influx of agriculture goods and commodities from foreign countries due to open market nature. The gradual reduction in subsidies from internal production leads to increasing cost of production of agriculture produces at the farm gate. It causes gradual decrease in internal production as well as productivity and posing threats to small farm and stakeholders.

How the slogan Jai Bhim gained momentum as movement of popularity and revolution

By Dr Kapilendra Das* India is an incomprehensible plural country loaded with diversities of religions, castes, cultures, languages, dialects, tribes, societies, costumes, etc. The Indians have good manners/etiquette (decent social conduct, gesture, courtesy, politeness) that build healthy relationships and take them ahead to life. In many parts of India, in many situations, and on formal occasions, it is common for people of India to express and exchange respect, greetings, and salutation for which we people usually use words and phrases like- Namaskar, Namaste, Pranam, Ram Ram, Jai Ram ji, Jai Sriram, Good morning, shubha sakal, Radhe Radhe, Jai Bajarangabali, Jai Gopal, Jai Jai, Supravat, Good night, Shuvaratri, Jai Bhole, Salaam walekam, Walekam salaam, Radhaswami, Namo Buddhaya, Jai Bhim, Hello, and so on.

Search This Blog