New Delhi, Dec 15: Member of Parliament Chowdry Muhammad Ramzan on Monday asked the Centre when it intends to return the hydroelectric power projects to Jammu and Kashmir after having collected huge revenues for decades and recovered the full cost and profits from these projects.
Raising the issue in the Rajya Sabha, he sought a clear commitment and timeline from the Centre on restoring ownership and control of J&K’s power resources.
Ramzan also highlighted the long-pending Nichanhama-Rajwar lignite project in Handwara, which was initiated in 1989 but was abandoned due to the onset of militancy.
He questioned whether the government plans to revive this vital project to address the region’s energy and employment needs.
Ramzan said that in his reply, the Ministry of Power avoided giving a direct answer on the return of hydroelectric projects, stating only that any transfer was governed by existing MoUs and agreements, without specifying whether costs and revenues had been fully recovered or whether any decision was under consideration.
He said that regarding the Nichanhama lignite project, the ministry informed that lignite extraction was currently being carried out at the site.
