Mainstream opposition parties have criticised the government for the move to supply electricity from the 850 mws Ratle hydroelectric project in Kishtwar to Rajasthan although J&K is itself reeling under an acute power crisis and people facing frequent power cuts.
Leaders of political parties have criticised the move and the National Conference has sought a ‘white paper’ on the issue.
Former chief minister and PDP chief, Mehbooba Mufti wrote on X; “At a time when J&K is facing a severe power crisis never witnessed before, our hydro electric resources are being outsources to other states. Yet another decision that will rob people of basic amenities with an intention to collectively punish inhabitants of J&K”.
Apni Party chief, Altaf Bukhari, wrote; “At a time when the entire Jammu and Kashmir is facing an acute electricity crisis, especially in its rural areas, the reported leasing out of electricity from the Ratle power project in Kishtwar to Rajasthan is quite puzzling. The J&K administration has off and on come on record claiming that it has been buying power from other states to meet the demand in the UT, while at the same time leasing out its own supply to another state is beyond comprehension”. He urged the J&K administration to come clear on the facts.
The Jammu and Kashmir National Conference asked the government to clear the air on the agreement between JKSPDC and Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT services limited as it has created a lot of misgivings among the people of Jammu & Kashmir.
Echoing the sentiments of people, party’s State Spokesperson Imran Nabi Dar said in a statement that the agreement has stirred the hornet’s nest as the terms and conditions on the face of it are seemingly to the disadvantage of J&K.
“Normally Power Purchase Agreements usually last for a maximum of 20 years. However in this case they are signing it for 40 years at a pre negotiated price which is also unknown. There has been a feeling of betrayal amongst the people of J&K that their resources are being bartered away. The fresh agreement for offtake of electricity for a period of 40 years from the Commercial Operation by Rajasthan Urja Vikas & IT services has further added to the looming scepticism. Government should bring out a white paper on the agreement informing people about its underlying purpose and what benefits will J&K reap from it,” he said.
Imran further said that the government should have prioritised providing electricity to the domestic consumers firstly as the looming energy crises being severely felt across J&K was far from over.
“For electricity starved people of J&K, is this agreement a solution? It’s a question that the government has to answer. It makes no sense that at a time when J&K is grappling with electricity crisis, the government is selling out electricity to other states,” he added.