NHPC exploiting youth of Chenab valley, says Tak

Jammu, April 22

Member of Legislative Council (MLC) of the Peoples Democratic Party Firdous Tak on Sunday said the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is exploiting youth of the Chenab valley, especially in Kishtwar district, as they are not being given permanent employment in hydel power projects in the region.

Tak was speaking at a one-day convention organised by the Chenab Valley Power Projects Workers’ Union. He was chief guest on the occasion.

Addressing the gathering, Tak said the PDP would not allow exploitation of the youth to continue and party was fighting for their rights. “For years locals are being engaged on a contractual basis while outsiders are being given preference in permanent jobs. This is totally unacceptable. Locals should be given preference in employment in new power projects being executed,” Tak said.

The MLC said resentment was brewing among people against the discrimination meted out to the region as power projects had benefited the company and Central government which were exploiting the natural resources of the Chenab valley.

Asserting that the hydel projects had caused serious ecological imbalance across the mountainous area, Tak sought a focused and long-term environment policy aimed at regenerating the forest cover in the region. — TNS