Srinagar, Jan 6 : Political leaders in Jammu and Kashmir on Saturday expressed skepticism over the administration’s decision to lease electricity from the Ratle Power Project in Kishtwar to Rajasthan, emphasizing that the Union Territory is grappling with a “severe power crisis.”
Ratle Hydro Electric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL), a joint venture between NHPC Limited and JKSPDC, has inked a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited for 850 MW from the Kishtwar project.
Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief Mehbooba Mufti criticized the move, stating that diverting electricity from the Ratle Project to Rajasthan would deprive the people of Jammu and Kashmir. She posted on X, “At a time when J&K is facing a severe power crisis never witnessed before, our hydro electric resources are being outsourced to other states. Yet another decision that will rob people of basic amenities with an intention to collectively punish the inhabitants of J&K.”
The PPA, signed in Jaipur on January 3, covers the off-take of power for 40 years from the Commercial Operation Date (COD) of the project, following the power allocation notification by the Union Ministry of Power.
Apni Party president Altaf Bukhari also raised concerns, describing the decision to lease electricity to Rajasthan as perplexing. In a post on X, he urged the J-K administration to clarify the situation. “The J&K administration has off and on come on record claiming that it has been buying the power supply from other states to meet the demands in the Union Territory, while at the same time leasing out its own supply to another state is beyond comprehension. Urge the J&K admin to come clear on the facts,” added Bukhari.
