Srinagar, Sep 18 : Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Wednesday made a big announcement stating that Jammu and Srinagar will get 24-hour power supply in the coming winters, for the first time over past seven decades. He also took a jibe at some union ministers who claim that Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK) was the “next target.”
Addressing a gathering here on the eve of inauguration of a series of power projects, at Rajbhawan , Governor Malik announced that Jammu and Srinagar will receive uninterrupted power supply in the winters. This will be for the first time in the past seven decades that Srinagar and Jammu will have uninterrupted power supply in harsh winters when people would hardly see electricity.
The Governor stated this while inaugurating 15 power projects in Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh and laying of the foundation stone for another 20 projects in the three regions. “We promise to give 24-hours power supply to Jammu and Srinagar in the winters,’’ Malik said. “ The credit for this goes to the Minister of State Power and Skill Development Minister R K Singh.’’ Singh was present on the occasion.
Singh, while addressing the function stressed the power supply in the winter will be much better than in the past. “I and my officers will spend some time in December and January in Jammu to experience and observe the situation,” he said. “The goal is to provide 24 hours supply to all the citizens of the country including J&K, and Ladakh.’’
He said J&K and Ladkah have the potential to generate hydel power to not only be self-sufficient but also export it to other states. That will increase the per capita income of the state manifold like Himachal Pradesh and Uttrakhand and neighbouring country of Nepal. Malik while thanking Singh for the interest in solving power crisis in the Jammu and Kashmir said due to Singh’s intervention the power supply line to Nobra that leads to the Siachin base camp will be completed in 18 months as against three years.
J&K Governor today took a dig at ministers for saying that the next target of the BJP government at Centre was Pakistan administered Kashmir (PaK). He said rather than the force the development in Jammu and Kashmir should entice the people of PaK to join India.
‘’We must develop Kashmir so much that people of PaK will rise in revolt to join Jammu and Kashmir,’’ he said, as per KNO correspondent.He said there are 22000 Kashmiri students study in different states and they should be treated love. He said they have placed officers in every state to help the students from Kashmir.“People of Kashmir should be treated with love and respect”
He said the media in Delhi recently could not understand his statement about Roshni Act that was aimed at regularizing state land encroached by people in Jammu and Kashmir.“It has proved to be a 25000 crore scam and I have given the case for investigation to Anti-Corruption Bureau,’’ Malik said.
Inputs from KNO
