KCSDS opposes handing over of Rattle power project to NHPC

Srinagar

Kashmir Centre for Social and Development Studies (KCSDS) has taken a  strong note of the present administration’s move for what it called “yet another sell out” of a viable power project Rattle to the NHPC.

“Rattle Power project is a clean and comparatively less complex project with all clearances in hand and as such is not at all difficult to be taken up exclusively in the state sector without involving any outside partner,” a spokesperson of KCSDS said in a statement.

He said an emergency meeting of the KCDS members expressed was held here on Tuesday. “They expressed dismay over Governor taking decisions which have long term negative implications for the economic growth and political power of the state.”

“A decision regarding handing over Rattle Power project to NHPC will be a move to undermine the economic interests of the state and disempowering further the citizens who have been agitating against this corporation for a long now,” he added.

KCSDS wants to remind the Governor that NHPC has not only exploited the state’s water resources for their own benefits but have also halted the overall economic development of the state by unprecedented delays in the implementation of projects handed over to it in the past.

“How could the state govt hand over to it a new project on a platter when its past performance has been dismal? Projects like Salal and Dul Hasti which should normally have taken 5-6 years, NHPC took more than two decades to make them completely operational. The projects of Burser and Pakel Dul allotted to it in the year 1999-2000  for making them operational in ten years time by 2010,  are yet to be started by it. The joint venture company Chenab Valley Power Projects (P)  Ltd set up with NHPC has been a non-starter despite the lapse of 8 years,” KCSDS in a statement said.

KCSDS demands immediate scrapping of the joint venture company CVPPPL besides initiating the process for taking over from NHPC all the power projects which it holds illegally and unconstitutionally.

KCSDS warns the Governor administration of severe public agitation if any new deal with  NHPC in respect of Rattle power project is struck in gross violation of citizens’ rights and interests of the state economy.

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