There is no doubt that State Government has increased the power purchase keeping in mind rise in domestic demand. The subsequent governments have been talking of taking back hydro-electric power projects from public sector to make them workable for the State’s requirement which 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 per 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, he had said. Though at that time Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) which was in opposition had taken cudgels for the economic betterment of farmers. Today the sides have changed and PDP remained in power for ten months the story of bringing back the power projects remains where it was. The politics of power sharing has complicated and even the politicians of the day want it back but it is not going to be a smooth journey so that at least State’s dependence on external source of power requirements becomes less. The dream of former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed asking PDD to provide uninterrupted power supply to consumers looks to remain unfulfilled.
