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Opposition corners gov't in Indian-controlled Kashmir over New Delhi's refusal to transfer power projects

Xinhua, March 28, 2015 Adjust font size:

Opposition in Indian-controlled Kashmir on Friday staged noisy protests against government inside the lawmaking body over New Delhi's refusal to handover power projects to the region.

The members of pro-India National Conference and Congress party created a pandemonium over the issue which affected business in lawmaking body, following which proceedings in both the Houses ( Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council) were adjourned.

The leader of opposition Omar Abdullah demanded government to make it clear whether New Delhi would handover hydro-power projects run by a government of India undertaking National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to the region.

The members gathered near the speaker's podium amid shouting slogan.

The region's coalition government headed by pro-India Peoples Democratic Party and rightwing Hindu nationalist Bartiya Janta Party in its guiding document to run the alliance have promised transfer of NHPC run hydro power projects in the region to local government.

India's Ministry of Power has refused to transfer power projects run by NHPC in the region citing"legal and financial problems,"despite recommendations by various government of India nominated panels.

NHPC provides only 12 percent power free as royalty to the local government in lieu of these projects.

The refusal is in contradiction to the coalition government's claims that process has been started to explore ways for return of power projects from NHPC.

Indian-controlled Kashmir is an energy deficient region and is struggling to improve the power generations to meet growing demand.

The region has an estimated hydro-power potential of 20,000 MW, of which the government had identified 16,480 MW for harnessing.

However, of these 16,480 MW, the government has failed to harness 13,786 MW of the hydro power potential.

The government has harnessed 2694 MW, which forms 16 percent of the available hydro-power potential.

To meet the shortfall, the local government annually spends huge money to import the electricity. Endi