Return of Power Projects: J&K Government has Submitted Four ‘Modalities’

Riyaz Ul Khaliq

SRINAGAR

Dr Haseeb A Drabu, J&K Finance Minister, addressing media in Srinagar after presenting his second budget on May 30, 2016. (KL Image: Bilal Bahadur)

Asserting that J&K Government is working with Union government on return of power projects, J&K FinMin Economist Dr Haseeb A Drabu Monday said that his government submitted “four modalities before Delhi”.

“I assure you,” he said in a response to a question about return of power projects to J&K Government from NHPC during a presser he addressed after presenting his second budget, “discussions have happened; are happening but I don’t know when we are reaching a consensus over it.”

In Agenda of Alliance (AoA) – the governing framework of PDP-BJP Government – the government has asserted that it will get back power projects from Union Government.

When asked that the Union Power Minister has said that demands of returning power projects by states can’t be acceded to, Dr Drabu said, “he has a right to have a view point. It is not the first time that anyone has spoken against such a demand.”

Dr Drabu, who was flanked by Commissioner Secretary to Government Finance Department, Navin Choudhary, said, “It was in 2006 that the then (Union) Law Minister spoke against it (return of power projects).” “But we have maintained it,” he added, “CM Ms Mehbooba has said it on the floor of the assembly, that state government, since 2003, have been holding talks and trying to get back the power projects.”

Dr Drabu further said, “let us wait and see which modality (of the four modalities submitted by J&K Government) suits Union Government.”

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