Srinagar, 15 December (H.S.): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday said the power projects under execution in the Union territory are construction works of national importance and law enforcement agencies should take action against anyone obstructing those.
His remarks came a couple of days after a senior officer associated with the construction of the 850-MW Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district accused a local BJP MLA of interfering in the works, and warned that continued disruptions could force the company to pull out of the project.
“There should be no (political) interference and (if there is any) it should be viewed very seriously,” Abdullah told reporters on the sidelines of an event here.
On December 4, Joint Chief Operating Officer of Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), Harpal Singh, claimed that certain politicians and their local supporters, who are neither employees nor workers of the project, attempted to pressure and threaten project officers to fulfil illegitimate demands, including the award of contracts and large-scale recruitment, despite there being no vacancies.
Abdullah said, “Had this accusation been levelled against one of my ministers, the ACB (Anti-Corruption Bureau) would have already conducted raids. These are projects of national importance, and no interference should be allowed.” “So far, the name of only one MLA is being mentioned, but two opposition MLAs are interfering in all projects in Kishtwar district,” he alleged.
The chief minister said several departments are yet to be transferred to the elected government. “I am the power minister, but the power development corporation is not with the elected government,” he said.
NHPC Limited, India’s premier hydropower company under the Ministry of Power, has formed Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited, a joint venture company (JVC) with Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation Ltd (JKSPDC), for the implementation of the run-of-river hydroelectric plant on the Chenab river at Drabshalla village. The construction work is being undertaken by MEIL.
---------------
Hindusthan Samachar / Krishan Kumar
