J&K people have first right on power, water projects: Shiv Sena (UBT)

Jammu, July 05: “The people of the water-rich state of Jammu and Kashmir are entitled to free electricity and water, which we pledge to fulfill,” said Manish Sahni, President of Shiv Sena (UBT) J&K, on Friday.
According to a party statement issued here, Sahni, in a programme organised at the Press Club Jammu, released a poster calling free electricity and water a legitimate right of the people. On the occasion, a pledge was taken to make the people aware of this right and to fulfill it.
Sahni said that the people of Jammu and Kashmir, rich in water resources, should be given at least 300 units of electricity and up to 30,000 litres of free water.
Taking strong cognisance of the increasing power cuts and decreasing water supply in the scorching heat, the Shiv Sena (UBT) leader criticised the government for its inability to provide basic necessities. “For decades, the National Hydro-Power Corporation (NHPC) has earned crores of rupees by operating hydroelectric projects on the land of Jammu and Kashmir. However, the people of Jammu and Kashmir continue to suffer from electricity and water crises,” he said.
Manish said the public’s tax money has been wasted on power infrastructure and the frequent change of meters. “Even after 77 years of independence, the public has not been able to get freedom from power and water cuts. The people of Jammu and Kashmir have the first right to the hydro-electric projects operating on their land,” he said.
He demanded that the projects operated by NHPC be handed over to Jammu and Kashmir. He also described providing electricity to Rajasthan from the Ratle power project of Chenab Valley as a plunder of Jammu and Kashmir’s resources.
Sahni reiterated that free electricity and water is the legitimate right of the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and Shiv Sena vows to ensure that they get this right.