STATE TIMES NEWS
SRINAGAR: The Centre on Friday ruled out transferring two power projects to Jammu and Kashmir, saying every demand does not “translate into a decision”.
“Demand comes from everywhere but a demand does not (necessarily) translate into a decision,” Union Power Minister Piyush Goyal told reporters.
He was addressing a video press conference from New Delhi which was played live in many states, where a group of journalists from each state were allowed to ask three questions.
In its Common Minimum Programme, called ‘Agenda of Alliance’ – with the BJP, the PDP said the coalition government would work with the Union government to explore modalities for transfer of Dulhasti and Uri hydropower projects to the state.
The PDP also said the coalition would secure a share in he existing 12 per cent to 25 per cent, saying no state can have special category in profit shares from hydropower projects.
“These are public-listed companies and the power share of 12 per cent is given country-wide. The share in profit is given to the shareholders.
“There can be no separate profit share for separate states in the country. No state can have a special category in share of the profits from the hydropower projects,” Goyal said.
He, however, said the state would naturally be a share holder and benefit from the power projects under Chenab Valley Corporation – a joint venture of the Jammu and Kashmir government with the Centre. “You will be happy to know that Chenab Valley Corporation, a joint venture with the Jammu and Kashmir government, will start power projects in the state and Jammu and Kashmir will naturally be a share holder in the profits,” the Union minister said.
Goyal said the transmission and distribution losses in the state is a grave concern and the government was trying to minimise the losses.
“The transmission losses of over 50 per cent are a grave concern. Many factors are responsible for the transmission losses in the state and these factors hamper minimising the losses. But the state government is working in minimising the losses,” he said. Goyal said the Centre is “very serious” in addressing the issue of power deficit in the state.
“We are very serious to address the issue of power deficit in the state. People in the state should cooperate in paying power bills and somebody in the society should act as whistle blower to expose those people in the society or factory owners who resort to power thefts. Then together we can resolve the issue of power deficit,” he said. He said under the new Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana, Rs 619 crore and under IPDS scheme Rs 446 crore have been sanctioned to the state. PTI
