Srinagar, Sept 08: Chairman of the People’s Democratic Front (PDF) and candidate for the Khansahib Assembly constituency, Hakeem Yaseen, has called for the return of all power projects currently under the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) to Jammu and Kashmir. He said the electricity generated by these projects should be used locally to address the region’s ongoing power crisis.
Addressing a public rally at Kralnewa in the Khansahib constituency, Yaseen expressed disappointment over the state’s power situation. “Despite having vast hydroelectric potential, the people of Jammu and Kashmir have been left begging for electricity, even for basic consumption needs,” he said. “While NHPC exports electricity from local power projects to other states at low rates, the people of Jammu and Kashmir struggle with inadequate power supply.”
The former minister demanded that all powerhouses under NHPC control be returned to the region immediately, stressing that the electricity produced should be used to meet local needs. “The people of Jammu and Kashmir are the rightful owners of their natural resources and have every right to utilise them for their own benefit,” he said.
The PDF Chairman also warned that any attempts to deprive the local population of their land and natural resources would be strongly opposed. He announced plans to introduce a constitutional motion in the upcoming legislative assembly to reclaim control of power projects from NHPC “to ensure that electricity generated is used to alleviate the region’s power shortage”.
Criticising other political parties, Hakeem urged voters to reject those who have “bartered the interests of Jammu and Kashmir for power over the past 70 years”. “These parties thrived on lies and deceit,” he said, urging people to make wise choices in the upcoming elections to “send a strong message to those who have failed the region”.
