SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has informed the Assembly that the Union Territory is entitled to 20 per cent of power generated from the Ranjit Sagar Dam hydropower project under a long-standing agreement with Punjab, but the allocation is currently not being utilised due to infrastructural constraints.
Replying to Assembly Question raised by MLA Darchan Kumar, the government said that as per the 1979 agreement between the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir State and Punjab, JK is to receive 20 per cent of the total power generated at the Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpur Kandi Barrage at the busbar cost of generation.
The government further disclosed that a power sale agreement was signed between Punjab State Power Corporation Limited (PSPCL) and Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Limited (JKPCL) on October 11, 2019, for sale and purchase of power from the project, now known as the Ranjit Sagar Dam project. However, it said the allocated power is not being injected into the JK system due to lack of adequate transmission infrastructure.
The provisional tariff payable for the power has been indicated at Rs 5.41 per unit, the reply said.
On whether the government is considering subsidised or free electricity for consumers in the Basohli constituency, where the project is located, the government said that no such proposal is currently under consideration.
Providing details on compensation to project-affected persons, the government said the total compensation amount stands at Rs 85.48 crore, of which Rs 71.15 crore has been released by the Punjab Government. This leaves a pending compensation amount of Rs 14.32 crore.
Out of this, an amount of Rs 5.41 crore had accrued as interest and was utilised by the Deputy Commissioner’s office in Kathua in July 1999 for payment of land compensation. The net pending compensation now stands at Rs 8.90 crore.
The government informed the House that Rs 50.51 crore has already been disbursed among affected persons.
Explaining the delay in full compensation, the government cited non-submission of required documents by some landowners, including applications, bank account details, PAN and Aadhaar cards. It added that the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, has issued multiple public notices urging claimants to submit the necessary documentation to facilitate timely payments.
On employment for local youth, the government said the matter has been taken up by the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua, with the dam authorities for providing jobs to 816 affected families.
As per Government Order No. 340-PW (Hyd) of 2018 dated September 28, 2018, employment to oustees is to be provided by the Government of Punjab in accordance with the agreed Rehabilitation and Resettlement policy of both governments.
