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‘Self-reliance on power vital for J&K economy’
Katra: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said that his government is striving to meet the demand of power by taking necessary steps for generation and distribution of electricity. Calling power as a “jugular vein of economy”, he said the holistic and integrated development of the state and the economic betterment of people is dependent on self-reliance in power generation.

“While government has launched ambitious power generation projects to harness 4000 to 5000 MWs of electricity in next 6 years, a Rs 1900 crore upgradation and reformative project for distribution and transmission of electricity is under execution,” Omar said after inaugurating a Rs 17.74 crore power grid station here.

The scheme is aimed at bringing e-governance, digitalisation of service, construction of data banks, application of modern IT techniques and reducing power theft and leakages to zero per cent, he said. Omar said the construction of 28 grid stations, 45 new transmission circuits and other hi-tech initiatives are part of this programme. The Chief Minister said it is difficult for state government to carry on fast track development when it has to bear an annual loss of Rs 2,000 crore on the supply of electricity.

He said the third party monitoring, initiated by the government, of infrastructure being raised under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana would bring transparency and remove bottlenecks in timely completion of projects.

In accordance with the State Hydel Policy, 2003 JKSPDC has allotted 10 small HEPs with a total capacity of 110.50 MWs under IPP phase-I. The State Government is presently reviewing existing State Hydel policy, 2003 for project implementation from 2-100MW to make it more investor friendly and thus attract investment and expertise from private players in the sector on a large scale.

Jammu and Kashmir is the first state in India to award 690 MW Ratle HEP (mega hydro power project) on BOOT basis through a tariff based competitive bidding process. The corporation is also pursuing the development of geothermal project in Pugah valley of Leh, Ladakh. PTI