Legislator marshalled out from House

Was demanding formation of panel to assess Kishtwar power projects

BOX: 7 projects in the offing: MoS

*Minister of State for Power Asiea Naqash said four power projects with 1,680 MW cumulative capacity were operational on the Chenab while seven more projects of 5,388 MW had been proposed to be constructed on the river.

*Naqash said the J&K State Power Development Corporation was executing a 48-MW Hydro-Power Project at Lower Kalnai in Kishtwar district, adding that so far, an amount of Rs 108.10 crore stood expended against the total cost of Rs 576.87 crore.Vikram Sharma

Tribune News Service

Jammu, January 15

Annoyed over National Conference (NC) MLC Sajjad Ahmed Kitchloo’s repeated interruptions in the Legislative Council demanding constitution of a House committee to asses the status of power projects in Kishtwar, council Chairman Haji Anayat Ali ordered marshalling him out of the House today.

Other NC and Congress legislators followed Kitchloo with a walkout. The ruckus started when Kitchloo said the government had no policy for setting up power projects in Kishtwar and other old projects were being left midway.

Minister of State for Power Asiea Naqash, replying to his question, said four power projects with 1,680 MW cumulative capacity were operational on the Chenab while seven more projects of 5,388 MW had been proposed to be constructed on the river.

Naqash said the J&K State Power Development Corporation was executing a 48-MW Hydro-Power Project at Lower Kalnai in Kishtwar district, adding that so far, an amount of Rs 108.10 crore stood expended against the total cost of Rs 576.87 crore.

Unsatisfied, Kitchloo said a large number of inhabitants had been dislocated to pave way for these projects and their lands were being continuously acquired.

"The Kirthai and Lower Kalnai projects have been delayed. Around eight new projects are being built in a radius of 10 km. The way these projects are being built, nearly 80 per cent area of Kishtwar district will get submerged. We fear the same fate of the upcoming projects also," Kitchloo said.

While the MoS tried to explain the details of families displaced in different villages due to project construction, the member trooped into the Well of the House and sought the Chairman’s attention for framing a House committee so that members visit the Kishtwar area and assess the ground situation there.

Other members from the NC and Congress rose from their seats and started demanding constitution of a House committee.

Irritated and annoyed, the Chairman ordered marshals to take Kitchloo out of the House which triggered resentment among others in the Opposition who walked out in protest.