Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah’s statement, made during the conference of power ministers of States/UTs held in New Delhi the other day regarding the implications of Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) on river-rich Jammu & Kashmir, which restricts its ability to harness its huge hydel power potential primarily due to storage constraints has generated a debate back home with his political rivals asserting that why he is not talking about the power projects already generating energy but not for J&K.
Fact of the matter is that what Abdullah said about IWT is the reality. This very Treaty has been a big handicap for J&K to fully harness its hydro-electric potential as there are restrictions imposed on the storage of water and whatever generation is done, is purely dependent on run of the river. During winters the water levels in rivers reduce drastically and thus J&K faces acute electric power shortage.
However, the Chief Minister can’t ignore one more reality and that is J&K waters are producing power but unfortunately that doesn’t belong to the people here. As rightly put forth by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president, Mehbooba Mufti Jammu and Kashmir is the only state which, despite generating electricity, remains in the dark as electricity generated here goes to the NHPC, which then sells it back to the people. Though admitting that IWT was against the interests of J&K people, Mufti said that instead of drumming up about an international treaty, Chief Minister should focus on seeking the return of at least two power projects from NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation).
JK Peoples Conference president and MLA Handwara, Sajad Gani Lone also suggested that instead of talking about IWT, the CM should explore ways to help J&K get more electric power. Regretting that J&K had not harnessed even 20 percent of its potential in hydroelectricity, Lone said, “And what we harnessed is mostly owned by the NHPC. The NHPC’s most profitable projects are in Jammu and Kashmir. We should have been net exporters of power. (But) we are net importers of power.
The electric power has been a main issue confronting Jammu and Kashmir. During winters, people of Kashmir Valley and Jammu’s winter zone suffer terribly as they have to face longer power cuts. In rural areas the situation turns more pathetic as people don’t get electricity even for eight hours in 24 hours. Same happens in Jammu plains during summers. When people here are in dire need of electricity to fight scorching heat, they have to face frequent power cuts.
In Jammu and Kashmir, one of the primary disputes has been over ownership and control of hydroelectric projects in J&K. As most of the power projects are owned by NHPC, locals argue that J&K has not been able to exercise full control or ownership over these resources, even though they are located within the region. They have been demanding that these assets should be transferred or jointly managed with the J&K government to ensure local benefits. Now that the Chief Minister has spoken about one cause that impacts power generation here, he and his government should take necessary steps to ensure that whatever power is generated on J&K waters, the people here get the major share out of that.