Owais Gul
Srinagar, Jun 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that two projects can be taken up in Jammu and Kashmir amid the ongoing suspension of the Indus Water Treaty (IWT).
Talking to reporters after meeting Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar, CM Omar said that talks in this regard are going on with the Centre.
Pertinently, Omar had stated that the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) with Pakistan that has been put in abeyance by the Centre in the wake of the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack was the “most unfair document” to the people of the Union Territory and they have never been in favour of it.
“The Government of India has taken some steps. As far as Jammu and Kashmir is concerned, let’s be honest we have never been in favour of the Indus Waters Treaty,” Abdullah had told reporters.
The Chief Minister, reacting to a query, said that while the IWT continues to remain suspended, they have taken up two projects—one each in Jammu and Kashmir with the Centre. “The talks for starting the project have been ongoing,” he said.
He said progress is being made in two ministries including Power and Housing & Urban Affairs.
Replying to a question, CM Omar said, “We are still in debt. Jammu and Kashmir is supplying power to the consumers including domestic, industrial as well commercial on concessions. There is a difference between power procurement rate and supply rates.”
Notably, Union Minister of Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal reviewed the urban development and power sector scenario for Jammu & Kashmir at Srinagar today.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, his Advisor Nasir Aslam Wani were also present in the meeting. The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary of J&K, senior officials from the Govt. of India (GoI), UT Administration, representatives of State power Utilities and CPSEs.
