With government formation hanging in fire in Jammu and Kashmir the much publicised decision giving uninterrupted power supply to people is likely to remain a dream unfulfilled. The late Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed had envisaged the plan to improve the power supply condition in the State. It look this summer would be no different than the earlier ones when it comes to unscheduled power cuts. There is no doubt the State Government has increased the purchase of power keeping the rise in domestic demand. The government has been talking of taking back hydro-electric power projects from public sector to make them workable for the State’s requirement but has remained a nonstarter till date. The issue has remained a vexatious one for the State, Centre and power majors like NHPC. It was former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah who made bold statements to get back Salal and Dulhasti from NHPC and the Shahpur Kandi project on the propriety of the usage of water. Omar at that time had made a strong case for raising free power quota from existing 12 to 30 per cent in all central hydro-electric projects in the State. He also sought compensation to the State for Indus Water Treaty that restricts Jammu and Kashmir from exporting hydel power and tapping irrigation potential in full measures. Since exclusive and equitable development of three regions of the State stands at the core of Govt’s agenda, the delivery of basic services and public goods across the diversity and remoteness of the State requires generous and sympathetic financial support. Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at that time was in opposition and had taken cudgels for the economic betterment of farmers. Today the sides have changed and PDP remained in power for ten months heading the government but the story of bringing back the power projects remains where it was. Under the Governor’s rule people have high expectations of delivery of services and accountability. The politics of power sharing in the present context looks much complicated and it is not going to be a smooth journey for the State and its dependence on external source of power supply is likely to continue.
