Omar advocates private involvement in power J

Jammu, Aug 23 (UNI) National Conference president Omar Abdullah today advocated the involvement of private investor for maximum exploitation of energy from Chenab river of Jammu and Kashmir.

Addressing a gathering at Kishtwar, Mr Abdullah said there was a need to identify and commission micro-hydro electric projects on the river by involving private investors like neighboring Himachal Pradesh which had enhanced its power production capability.

Terming River Chenab as a goldmine of J &K, the NC president criticized the coalition government for its failure to tap the hydro electric potential of the river.

Mr Omar said Jammu and Kashmir has a vast potential of over 20000 MW of which less than 10 per cent has been harnessed till date.

''There is about 10000 MWs hydro electric potential on river Chenab but unfortunately the Congress-led coalition government was not active over the power sector which would have not only brought the state out of power crises but also helped in meeting the challenge of growing unemployment,'' he said.

NC leader suggested state government to start micro and medium- hydro electric projects on the river with the involvement of private investors.

''Ambitious projects besides contributing in extenuating the energy crises in the state, provide employment to huge number of skilled and unskilled labourers of Ramban, Kishtwar and Doda districts,'' he added.

Mr Abdullah said during the NC regime, nearly 431 sites had been identified for generating 750 mw of electricity through mini and micro-projects ranging between 100 kw to 3 mw in the neighboring state.

''NC government managed the sanction of two-phased 450 MW Baglihar project from the union power ministry, he said.

UNI