In an embarrassment for the PDP-BJP government, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council today passed a resolution moved by opposition National Conference for transfering of two power projects from NHPC to the state despite the ruling combine opposing it.
NC member Qaiser Jamshed Lone moved a resolution in the Council that "this House resolves that all the power projects be returned by NHPC to state government", days after the House witnessed an uproar over the Centre's refusal to hand over Uri and Dul Hasti.
Leader of the House and Education Minister Naeem Akhter said the opposition should not press for the resolution and reminded how a resolution on 'Greater Autonomy' passed by the Legislative Assembly during National Conference rule in 2000 was thrown into a "dustbin" by the Centre.
Contending that it had lowered the prestige of the Assembly, he said, "Please do not repeat that mistake again by passing a resolution and lowering the prestige of the House."
Amid verbal exchanges and noisy scenes, the resolution was put to vote and passed as opposition members were more in strength and the ruling side had just 10 members.
Earlier, Rural Development Minister Abdul Haq Khan, on behalf of Deputy Chief Minister Nirmal Singh who holds Power portfolio, said Budget mentions that the government would actively pursue transfer of power projects from NHPC.
The budget also provides for funds for meeting the operation and maintenance cost of such power projects to be transferred from NHPC, Khan said.
Seeking to take the battle to the rival camp, he said, "It was NC which sold these power projects without even thinking about the interest of people of J&K. Who was in the government for past so many years in the state? Who gave away these projects to NHPC without even entering into MoU?"
Asking "how can you take back projects which you have legally given to NHPC", he said, "We, however, are trying to negotiate with them to bring back the power projects that you have given to them and are now making hue and cry to return them."
Taking a dig at the government, Lone said, "On one side, they are claiming that they will bring back the power projects from NHPC to state but on the other hand, the central government has replied to a question of PDP MP Tariq Hamid Qarra (in Parliament) that these cannot be transferred in view of legal and financial problems.
