Committed To Enhance Coordination With Centre: J&K Govt
Says Omar’s Ongoing Visit To New Delhi Part of It
New Delhi: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah called on Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar today at the Vice-President’s Enclave in New Delhi.
Vice President Dhankhar’s official account shared on X, formerly Twitter, saying, “Shri Omar Abdullah ji, Hon’ble Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir called on Hon’ble Vice-President, Shri Jagdeep Dhankhar at Vice-President’s Enclave today.”
The Chief Minister is currently in the National Capital for an official visit, during which he is also scheduled to meet the President of India Droupadi Murmu and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in next two days.
This visit reflects Jammu and Kashmir’s commitment to enhance coordination with the central government, an official spokesperson said.
As part of his engagements, Chief Minister Abdullah attended the Conference of Power Ministers of States & UTs on November 12, chaired by Union Minister for Power Manohar Lal Khattar.
During the conference, the Chief Minister spoke extensively on the challenges Jammu and Kashmir faces in fully harnessing the potential of its rivers for generating hydroelectric energy particularly due to the Indus Water Treaty which allows only limited use of water for run-of-the-river projects but does not permit storage of water in respect of three important river systems – Indus, Chenab and Jhelum, flowing in the river-rich Jammu and Kashmir.
Omar highlighted the limiting clauses in the Indus Water Treaty that restricts Jammu & Kashmir from realising its full hydel potential by only permitting run-of-the-river projects.
“Hydel power is J&K’s only viable energy source. The region is compelled to rely on power imports from other States, which adversely impacts its economy.
To address this, J&K would require special compensation from the Government of India, including viability gap funding and equity assistance, to harness its untapped hydro-energy potential,” he said, adding the support would not only help in meeting the region’s energy needs but also contribute to national clean energy goals.
Chief Minister also sought Centre’s intervention in holding Central Public Sector Undertakings like PESL and National Thermal Power Corporation accountable in fast tracking loss reduction works under the premier Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme in J&K.
The Chief Minister also requested Power Ministry to consider gap funding for implementation of electric infra works under RDSS.
Chief Minister yesterday participated actively in all technical sessions, presenting the perspective and concerns of the Jammu and Kashmir government before the national forum.
During the session on solar power potential and green energy, the Chief Minister dwelled upon the solar power energy being generated in Ladakh and said that J&K would like to procure extra energy the UT is is able to generate.