Srinagar, The Indian administration in occupied Jammu and Kashmir has finalized an agreement to supply electricity generated in the region to the Indian state of Rajasthan, amidst a severe power crisis in the territory.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Ratle Hydro Electric Power Corporation Limited (RHPCL), a joint venture between NHPC Limited and Jammu and Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC), has completed a Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with Rajasthan Urja Vikas and IT Services Limited. The agreement involves the procurement of power from the 850 MW Ratle Hydroelectric Project in Kishtwar, IIOJK, for a period of 40 years from the project’s Commercial Operation Date (COD).
The PPA, signed in Jaipur on January 3, 2024, follows the power allocation guidelines specified by the Ministry of Power, Government of India. This decision, however, has raised significant concerns among regional parties in occupied Jammu and Kashmir due to the ongoing electricity crisis in the area.
Imran Nabi Dar, spokesperson for the National Conference, has called for clarification on the agreement, noting its unusually long duration compared to typical agreements that last around 20 years. He stressed the importance of transparency in the agreement and called for the release of a white paper to elucidate its purpose and benefits for Jammu and Kashmir.
Additionally, Mehbooba Mufti, President of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), has strongly criticized the decision to supply electricity from the Ratle Power Project to Rajasthan. She argued that such a move would further exacerbate the electricity crisis for the people of the territory.