Working on modalities to seek return of power projects: JK Govt

The State government Tuesday said that it is working out modalities with the Central government to get back power projects from National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (NHPC).
“The state government is working on modalities to get power projects from NHPC. Several discussions have taken place between GoI and J&K government on the issue and there is a broad-based consensus at the highest level,” one of the senior minister in the PDP-BJP government told a local news agency KNS.

The minister said the transfer of power projects has been under discussion for the last decade or so. “The demand of return of power projects is from last so many years. Even it has been backed by recommendations of the working groups appointed by the former Prime Minister as well as PM’s high level task force on J&K,” he said.
The minister said the J&K government is working to evolve a model in which the power projects can be transferred without affecting the market value and shareholders of NHPC – a listed company with majority of its shareholding with the government of India, which manages the projects in the state.
However the minister was reluctant to give more details over the issue. “It is not the right time to share details of what modalities are on between JK government and the Central government. Let we reach to some good news. We will inform you,” he said.

It is in place to mention here that Power Minister, Piyush Goyal had ruled out transfer of Dulhasti and Uri power projects to Jammu Kashmir saying no decision had been taken over the demand yet. “NHPC can’t pay percentage of profits that it earns by investing in the hydel power projects of the state. NHPC is a listed company and only the shareholders are paid the profits. Decisions are not taken over all demands” Goyal had said.