Jammu: Jammu and Kashmir, in consultation with the central government, has developed a Resource Adequacy (RA) plan till 2035, as a major step towards making the region self-reliant in the energy sector, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday.
In a written reply to an unstarred question of National Conference MLA Shamim Firdous in the Assembly here, he also responded in affirmative about his government’s plan to provide 200 units of free electricity to the consumers as promised in the party manifesto.
“As a major step towards self-reliance, J&K, in consultation with the Government of India, has developed a RA Plan till 2035. This plan outlines the steps needed to increase generation capacity, both through the development of local generating stations and by securing power from external sources,” Abdullah said.
As part of this plan, the chief minister said J&K has already signed Power Purchase Agreements for 393 MW of thermal power from six power generators.
“Moving forward, we will continue to implement measures in line with the RA plan to ensure energy security and create a surplus power supply year-round by securing power from diverse generators at affordable prices,” he said.
To become self-reliant in power generation and provide uninterrupted electricity to consumers, he said Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) is prioritizing the development of hydroelectric power projects.
In collaboration with NHPC, JKSPDC has formed joint ventures such as Chenab Valley Power Projects Private Limited (CVPPL) and Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL) to implement various new projects in the Union Territory.
These projects include 1000 MW Pakal Dul HEP, 624 MW Kiru HEP, 540 MW Kwar HEP and 850 MW Ratle HEP on the Chenab at Kishtwar With a combined capacity of 3014 MW and these projects are expected to be commissioned by 2027, the chief minister said.
Additionally, JKSPDC is implementing 37.5 MW Parnai HEP in Poonch district and 12 MW Karnah HEP in Kupwara district.
“This brings the total capacity addition to 3063 MW by 2027-28. Moreover, the 48 MW Lower Kalnai HEP in Kishtwar and the 93 MW New Ganderbal HEP in Ganderbal have already been tendered,” he said.
Abdullah said the mega projects – 390 MW Kirthai-l, 258 MW Dulhasti-Il, 800 MW Bursar, 1856 MW Sawalkote, 240 MW Uri-l Stage-Il, 89 MW Ujh and 930 MW Kirthai-Il are also planned to be developed in the coming years.
Although the projects on completion would significantly boost J&K’s generation capacity upon their commissioning, the hydro power plants typically experience reduced generation during the winter months, he said.
To achieve self reliance in power generation, he said it is essential to have a balanced mix of power sources, including thermal and nuclear power. “This will involve securing power from external generators outside J&K.
“Renewable energy sources are also being prioritized as a viable option to meet growing demand and fulfill our international climate change commitments,” he said.
On the steps being taken to provide 200 units of free electricity to consumers, the chief minister said necessary steps shall be spelt out during the demand for grants for the sector.
Responding to a question from member Shakti Raj Parihar, the chief minister, who also holds the Power Development portfolio, said that J&K’s transmission and distribution losses are among the highest in India.
He noted that these losses are significantly higher compared to neighboring states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
“And until we are not able to control this situation, our current AT&C losses are around 50 percent. For every rupee worth of electricity we supply, we face a loss of around 50 paisa. We will have to gradually reduce this and bring it in line with the levels of neighboring states. For this, the RDSS scheme has been implemented,” he said. The Chief Minister was replying to a starred question about the total funds allocated and utilized under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) for the member’s constituency. He explained that under RDSS, in addition to smart metering works, funds have been sanctioned for various “Loss Reduction (LR)” works.
These include AB cabling, HVDS, reconductoring, feeder bifurcation, and segregation, depending on district-specific technical requirements.
The funds for LR works have been sanctioned at the district level rather than for individual constituencies, he added.
The Chief Minister informed the House that the sanctioned cost for LR works in Doda District is ₹86.28 crore, with the works awarded in September 2023.
“The funds for these works are being released by the Ministry of Power (MoP) in different tranches based on the progress of the projects. So far, ₹17 crore has been released in two tranches, both of which have been fully utilized. Funds for the next tranche are being sought as per the norms of the scheme,” he said.
Addressing concerns about the slow progress of RDSS projects, the Chief Minister explained that after the issuance of the sanction order, the package (including Doda district) was tendered for the first time on March 31, 2023.
“However, due to a poor response, the tendering process had to be extended three times. Finally, the bid was opened on August 4, 2023, and awarded on September 8, 2023,” he stated.
He further informed that 12.25 percent progress has been achieved so far, and the works are moving forward at full pace with no delays.
“Going by the current pace, it is expected that the works in Doda district will be completed well within the sunset date of RDSS, which is March 31, 2026,” he added.
The Chief Minister further stated that the RDSS Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) were formulated in two parts, one which includes Loss Reduction (LR) works and smart metering projects and part b which covers modernization works.
“The DPRs for both parts were submitted to the Ministry of Power (MoP). However, the sanction has been received only for Part A works,” he said. Regarding Part B, the Chief Minister mentioned that the DPRs are currently at the appraisal stage with the Nodal Agency of MoP.
“Once the Part B DPRs are sanctioned by MoP, the modernization works will be awarded as per the terms and conditions specified in the sanction order,” he concluded.
Gurez Valley emerging as tourist destination: CM
The picturesque Gurez Valley near the Line of Control (LoC) in Bandipora district is emerging as a new tourist destination and the Jammu and Kashmir government would approach the Union tourism ministry for its further development, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said on Wednesday.
Responding to a question raised by National Conference member Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi in the legislative assembly, Abdullah said the Gurez Valley recently gained significant recognition as a tourist destination, and the tourism department would assess the need to establish a tourism development authority (TDA) for the valley.
“In 2022, Gurez Valley received the ‘best offbeat destination’ award, emphasising its appeal as a unique and emerging tourist spot,” Abdullah said.
The chief minister, who also holds the tourism portfolio, said that in September 2023, Dawar village in Gurez was honoured with the ‘best tourism village’ award in the gold category by the Union Ministry of Tourism.
“This accolade highlights the village’s cultural richness and tourism potential,” he said.
To promote Gurez as a new tourist destination, Abdullah said the tourism department has taken several initiatives, including commercial rafting which was started there for the first time in 2024.
Besides, during the current financial year, the tourism department projected the upgradation of Gurez as an offbeat destination under the capex budget (2024-25), the chief minister said.
Responding to a supplementary question, Abdullah said his government will approach the Union tourism ministry for further development of Gurez Valley.
Replying to another query by National Conference member Ali Mohammad Sagar during Question Hour, Abdullah said the assistance scale for victims of fire incidents is as per the revised norms of assistance of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) issued by the disaster management division under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
Abdullah, who is also the minister for disaster management, relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction, said these norms are reviewed every five years.
Fire victims’ assistance based on revised norms: CM
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today informed the Legislative Assembly that the assistance provided to victims of fire incidents is based on the revised norms under the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) and National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF).
In reply to the question of member Ali Mohammad Sagar during Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session, the chief minister stated that the assistance scale for victims of fire incidents is as per the revised norms of assistance from the SDRF and NDRF issued by the Disaster Management Division, Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India.
The Chief Minister, who is also Minister Incharge of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation & Reconstruction, further said that these norms are reviewed every five years.
