Srinagar, Sept 24 (KNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Government has said there is no proposal at present to return or transfer to the Union Territory the hydropower projects entrusted to NHPC, even as it disclosed that J&K has received over ?5,537 crore in water usage charges and the monetised value of free power and LADF from these projects during the last five financial years.
The government gave the details in response to question by MLA Mir Mohammad Fayaz regarding the ownership, revenue sharing and transfer of power projects in J&K.
According to the Power Development Department, Salal (690 MW), Uri-I (480 MW), Dulhasti (390 MW), Sewa-II (120 MW), Uri-II (240 MW) and Kishanganga (330 MW) are currently being operated by NHPC, with a combined installed capacity of 2,250 MW.
The government said three projects Sawakot (1,856 MW), Uri-I Stage-II (240 MW) and Dulhasti Stage-II (260 MW) have also been entrusted to NHPC for implementation on a Build, Own, Operate and Transfer (BOOT) basis for 40 years.
The handover agreements for the projects provide for their transfer back to J&K after 40 years from the date of their commercial operation, the government said.
The implementation agreement for Sawakot was signed between NHPC and JKPDCL on December 11, 2021, while agreements for Uri-I Stage-II and Dulhasti Stage-II were signed on March 27, 2026. The latter two projects are currently under construction.
On the financial benefits accruing to J&K, the government said the UT received ?Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel3,582.06 crore in water usage charges from NHPC projects during the last five financial years.
It also received the equivalent of ?1,955.26 crore through 12 per cent free power and one per cent LADF during the same period.
Together, the two components amount to ?5,537.32 crore over the five-year period.
The government said the 12 per cent free power due to J&K was being supplied by NHPC in accordance with applicable provisions and that there was no shortfall or outstanding claim pending from the UT on this account.
The figures show that Kishanganga, with an installed capacity of 330 MW, contributed ?404.64 crore in monetised value of free power and LADF during the five years, while Dulhasti contributed ?521.86 crore and Salal ?295.78 crore.
The government also said NHPC's hydropower projects generate indirect economic activity in their areas of operation through employment, maintenance, contracting, procurement and outsourced services.
It further stated that NHPC's corporate social responsibility initiatives contribute approximately ?19 crore annually towards local infrastructure development.
Asked specifically whether any proposal existed for greater J&K ownership, revenue sharing or transfer of the projects, the government said, At present, no such proposal is under consideration.”(KNS)