Srinagar, Nov 13: Former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti voiced strong concerns over recent remarks by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on the Indus Water Treaty’s impact.
Addressing Abdullah’s concerns about the treaty hindering J&K’s power capacity, Mufti sharply questioned, “Instead of saying the Indus Water Treaty is a hurdle to Jammu & Kashmir’s power generation capacity, I want to ask Omar Abdullah—does the power already being generated belong to us?, she said.
Mufti underscored that, while J&K generates significant electricity, much of it is controlled by the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) and sold back to the region, leaving residents in energy deficit despite the state’s rich natural resources.
She criticized past decisions by J&K’s leadership to hand over key power projects to NHPC, which she said robbed the J&K of energy independence.
Citing agreements like the PDP-BJP Agenda of Alliance, which included commitments to return at least two power projects to J&K, Mufti urged the central government to honor these promises.
She cautioned against reopening divisive issues like the Indus Water Treaty, warning that such debates would only deepen J&K’s struggles while leaving other states unaffected.
“Jammu and Kashmir has paid enough,” Mufti said, demanding that the central government restore J&K’s control over its energy resources.” (KNS).
