Srinagar, Nov 24(KNS): Chairman Peoples Democratic Front and former Minister Hakeem Muhammad  Yaseen has castigated Government for its  failure to provide even bear minimum power supply to the consumers adding that all the cities , towns and villages have been  plunged in darkness.

He said industrial sector , patients admitted in hospitals , students community and hotel industry have been the first casuality of the prevailing power cricis.

In a statement issued on Friday Hakeem Yaseen  rued  Government failure to provide adequate power supply  to the consumers amid prevailing harsh climatic conditions. “ It was most unfortunate that failure on the part government to harness  huge  hydropower potential of the order of 20,000 MW,  j&k has been left to beg for meeting its bear minimum power  requirements from the Norther Grid and NHPC  ,“ Hakeem Yaseen observed. He said it was most ridiculous that against the huge hydropower potential of the order of 20,000 MW , only about 1500 MW have been harnessed so far. He said unjustified delay has been made during last about 70 years to harness huge power potential of jammu and kashmir , resulting in its  poor economic growth  , zero industrialization and deficit basic amenities for the people. “ Had the huge hydel potential been  exploited fully, J&K would have been power exporter ,“ PDF Chairman observed.

He said JKs huge hydel resources continue to be sold to NHPC ruthlessly since many decades without safegauding interests of the local people ..

He urged the government to prioritize  technical expertize and  policy formation for exploiting vast water resources for optimal power generation to meet not only its  internal power demand but also to export  to the Northern grid to boost the overall development of the Union Territory .

Hakeem Yaseen also castigated Jammu and Kashmir  Power Development Corporation  (JK PDC)  for failing to produce a single unit of power  since its formation about 10 years ago adding that responsibility should be fixed for its dismal performance .

Hakeem Yaseen appealed to  L. G. Manoj sinha to  immediately issue orders for importing  additional electricity  to address the  prevailing power woes of the consumers adding that it was the only short term solution  to the burning problem.(KNS).