PDP Exposed; Union Power Minister rules out transfer of NHPC run projects to state

Corporation can’t pay profits earned by investing in hydel power projects to states’

Union Power Minister, Piyush Goyal Friday ruled out transfer of Dulhasti and Uri power projects to Jammu Kashmir saying no decision had been taken over the demand yet.
Addressing reporters through video-conferencing from New Delhi, Goyal, in reply to the question over the transfer of power projects to the state said, “Decisions are not taken over all demands.’’
In the Agenda of Alliance, worked out between PDP and BJP prior to formation of coalition government last year, it has been noted that the state government will explore modalities for transfer of Dulhasti and Uri hydro power projects run by NHPC to Jammu and Kashmir as suggested by the Rangarajan committee report and the Round table reports.
Goyal, however, said NHPC can’t pay percentage of profits that it earns by investing in the hydel power projects to the state.
“NHPC is a listed company and only the shareholders are paid the profits,” he said.
On question of increasing the share of electricity to J&K from the NHPC run projects in the state, Goyal said some states are not even getting any electricity from the national companies, which have invested in those states.
“The NTPC has invested in some states where the concerned state governments are not even getting the 1 MW of electricity,’’ he said.
The minister, however, said from the investments through the Chenab Valley Power Projects Ltd (CVVPL), which is a joint venture between the state government and the NHPC, J&K government will get the profits from the investment in power projects.
“There are many power projects which will be constructed by the CVVPL,” he said.
In response to a question over high transmission and distribution losses in the State, Goyal said it was due to increasing power theft.
He said people must pay the bills to ensure decrease in transmission and commercial losses.
“The aggregate transmission and distribution losses (AT&C) are due to lack of proper power infrastructure and the state government is working on to upgrade the distribution set up. If AT&C losses are to be prevented, the power theft needs to be checked,’’ the minister said.
He said funds of around Rs 619 crores have been approved under the Deen Dayal Upadhaya Gram Jyoti Yojna (DDUGJY) and Rs 486 crore under the Integrated Power Development Scheme (IPDS) to strengthen the power distribution infrastructure in the state.
“Central government is trying to ensure the accountability and transparency in the set up,” he added.

Meanwhile, National Conference on Friday said that Union Power Minister PiyushGoyal’s remarks regarding J&K Government’s demand for return of power projects has yet again exposed Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and “its politics of treachery, lies and deceit.”

The party Chief Spokesperson Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi said the Central Government’s categorical refusal to even review the demand of returning power projects to the State was unacceptable.

“This is the second time when Union Power Minister has categorically rejected the demand for the return of power projects to J&K. This happened earlier when the Union Power Minister was chairing a meeting in Gulmarg in the presence of the State’s Finance Minister – who refused to utter a single word in opposition to this arbitrary rejection of a just and rational demand. Now, this time around as well PDP as well as Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti have chosen to remain completely silent, thereby validating this refusal as an accessory”, the NC Chief Spokesperson said in a statement.

The Spokesperson said every single promise made by PDP ahead of elections and then consequently in its ‘Agenda of the Alliance’ with the BJP has been shattered to ensure that first late Mufti Muhammad Sayeed and now Mehbooba Mufti remains in the Chief Minister’s chair, come what may.

“To further their own personal and political ambitions, PDP’s leadership has bartered all just demands and rights of this State to the BJP. What is Mehbooba Mufti doing sitting in the CM’s chair when her demands and promises have been rejected and are being rejected in such a casual, contemptuous manner by her own alliance partner? This is a matter of shame for PDP”, the NC Chief Spokesperson added.

“The Chief Minister should speak up and express her disapproval of such arbitrary statements from the Central Government. Her deliberate silence on issues vital for the State’s prosperity and dignity has lowered the stature of the Chief Minister’s office and threatens the State’s special status. This was a demand and a promise she used to attain political power and the rejection of this demand by her own alliance partner speaks volumes about PDP and Mehbooba Mufti”, Ruhullah stated.