Srinagar, Mar 13: The Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday ensured employment opportunities for local youth in the hydropower projects of Chenab Valley by securing 80% job reservation for locals in Group C&D positions.
This initiative is aimed at boosting local employment and ensuring that communities affected by these projects reap economic benefits.
The response came in response to a starred question raised by MLA Doda Mehraj Malik in the Legislative Assembly regarding reservation in employment for local youth in these projects.
In its reply, the government stated that provisions have been kept for providing employment to local youth in the construction of Hydro Power Projects in the Chenab Basin under the agreements signed between NHPC and JKPDC.
These projects include 1000 MW Pakaldul, 624 MW Kiru, 540 MW Kwar HEPs under Chenab Valley Power Projects Limited (CVPPL) and 850 MW Ratle HEP under Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL).
The government said that both CVPPL and RHPCL operate as Joint Venture Companies (JVC) with a 51:49 shareholding pattern between NHPC (a central PSU) and JKPDC (a UT PSU).
It elaborated on specific employment provisions for locals. It has been ensured that 80% of Group C&D staff in these JVCs shall be Permanent Residents or domiciles of J&K. Additionally, the MoU for Ratle HEP specifies that 10% of these positions will be reserved for Project Affected Families (PAFs).
Similarly, a minimum of 49% of Group A&B staff shall be Permanent Residents or domiciles of J&K, either through deputation from NHPC, JKPDC, or direct recruitment by the JVCs.
The EPC contract of Ratle HEP mandates the contractor to prioritize unskilled, semi-skilled, and skilled labor from the local area, with first preference given to displaced PAFs.
It further said that additionally, Ratle HEP has reserved specific works for Project Affected Families through competitive bidding, including:
Hiring of vehicles, repair, Maintenance, and housekeeping services amounting to Rs. 20 lakh, Small-scale contracts (under Rs. 25 lakh) for horticulture, plantation, painting, construction, and road maintenance
The government said that currently, the construction of CVPPL projects (Pakal Dul, Kiru, and Kwar HEPs) has engaged 8414 workers, out of which 7023 (87.6%) are locals from J&K.
“Similarly, in the construction of Ratle HEP, 1705 workers have been engaged through contractors, with 1435 (84.16%) being locals, including 253 (14.84%) from PAFs. The number of Group A&B (Executives and Supervisors) and Group C&D (Workmen) employees from J&K in regular employment with CVPPL and RHPCL,” it said.
It further said that this is a significant step toward securing employment for local youth while ensuring that communities affected by these projects receive due benefits.
“With over 80% of the workforce comprising J&K residents, the initiative is expected to enhance economic stability and job security in the region,” the government said in its reply.
