J&K power position likely to worsen
Tribune News Service

SRINAGAR, Nov 26 — The power position in Jammu and Kashmir is likely to worsen with the decline in the water level of hydel resources, while there is already a 50 per cent load-shedding to overcome the debts accumulated during the past nine years.

There is a demand of 120 lakh power units a day in the state, but only 80 lakh units are available, out of which 12 lakh units are available from state’s own hydel projects. To overcome the debts accumulated during the past over nine years, the consumers are provided with only 15 hours supply a day and four-hour load shedding a week. Against the Budget allocation of Rs 550 crore for the purchase of power during the current financial year, the department has already exceeded the limit, and the expenditure is expected to go up to Rs 700 crore during the current financial year.

"This is because there is no judicious use of power and the demand for power is on the increase", the Minister of State for Power, Mr Syed Abdul Rashid said yesterday. The state already owes Rs 854 crore to the Centre as liabilities on account of the power purchases made earlier. The Power Development Department has also revived the amnesty scheme for recoveries of the pending bills which could not be made during the previous year. The new deadline for the recovery under 50 per cent amnesty has been fixed at December 31 this year. The government had introduced the scheme in 1997. An amount of Rs 250 crore is to be recovered under the amnesty scheme.

Mr Syed Abdul Rashid disclosed that an amount of Rs 10 crore was due from various security agencies. Apart from this there was use of illegal power by various security agencies in the state where the security forces have set up their positions. The security installations in different parts of the valley have been using power without any registration. This causes over-loading and leads to damage to transformers. The minister said that the department had taken up the matter with the Home Ministry.

An amount of Rs 4.50 crore is also due from Sher-e-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences. However, power supply has not been disconnected to the institute in view of the needs of patients. The department has also extended power supply to the other hospitals. It has, however, disconnected the supply of power to VIPs on the essential lines.

The hike in power tariff during the recent years after the National Conference government took over in 1996, has been resented by the people. There has been an increase of over 47 per cent in the power tariff during the last two years. While the state has been getting power at the rate of Rs 2.50 per unit, it was being provided to the consumer at the subsidised rates of 50 paise only. The tariff has now been hiked to Rs 1.70 per unit and it is expected to be raised to the rate of purchase.

During the past six months, 45 per cent recoveries of pending power bills have been made in the Jammu region, while only 22 per cent recoveries have been made in Kashmir division, the minister disclosed.

Rural areas of the state suffer most where only 30 per cent of the total power supply is consumed. The major share of 70 per cent is being consumed in the two capital cities of Jammu and Srinagar. Steps are being taken to streamline the power supplies as infrastructure was damaged due to the turmoil during the previous years.

22 militants killed in Kashmir

SRINAGAR, Nov 26 (PTI) — Twenty-two militants and an Army informer were among 25 persons killed and four wounded as security forces stepped up their anti-militant operation across the Kashmir valley since last night, an official spokesman said here today.

Intensified operations, particularly in Anantnag, left 18 militants dead since last evening, the spokesman said.

Eight militants fell to the bullets of security forces at Sonabari-Magam in the Kokernag area of Anantnag last night. Six AK assault rifles, three wireless sets and six grenades were recovered from them, the spokesman said.

However, official reports from the encounter scene said the deceased included two civilians.

The spokesman said seven militants were shot dead in separate operations at Shaloo-Batengoo and Lanker-Bommai in the Kulgam area of Anantnag district last night and today.

Two of the militants were identified as Parvez Ahmad, alias Zahid and Tariq Masood, alias Suhail. Seven AK assault rifles and a big cache of ammunition and explosives were recovered from the ultras, he said.

Three militants were killed in an encounter with security forces at Verinag in Anantnag today.

I am not being groomed: Omar
Tribune News Service

JAMMU, Nov 26 — Mr Omar Abdullah, Minister of State for Industries, today scoffed at those who felt that he was being groomed.

"I am not being groomed. If I was inducted as the Union Minister of State it was an offer from the BJP-led government and my father, Dr Farooq Abdullah, has not advocated my case before the Prime Minister", he told a news conference here.

He had a dig at Prof Chaman Lal Gupta, Minister of State for Civil Aviation, saying "I am in the Union Council of Ministers despite Prof Gupta's opposition".

When reminded that Prof Gupta had opposed the demand for greater autonomy for Jammu and Kashmir, Mr Omar said: "Mr Gupta is not the BJP. He is not even the BJP spokesman".

Asked about the proposed Cabinet reshuffle in Jammu and Kashmir, he said "it is the prerogative of the Chief Minister. I do not interfere in the work of my father. Yes, I listen to his suggestions and follow those which I feel are good".

He made it clear that it was better for the state unit of the BJP and the National Conference not to have a dig at each other. The National Conference, he said, was a part of the NDA which was beneficial for the state and the country.

Asked whether he would prefer to remain at the Centre or return to state politics, Mr Omar said" "I want to be back. I have no reason to be at the Centre. Yes, I am a minister and it will help me gain experience".

He said he was not aspiring to be the Chief Minister. It was for people to elect a Chief Minister. "Let the people watch my performance as a Union Minister of State first", he said.

2 hurt in blast near PCR

SRINAGAR, Nov 26 (PTI) — Two persons were injured in a powerful bomb explosion outside the heavily-guarded police control room (PCR) in central Srinagar this afternoon, official sources said.

The explosion took place in a poultry shop near the PCR at Batmaloo injuring the shopkeeper, Charanjeet Singh, and a woman, Zarifa, they said. The two were hospitalised.

The shopkeeper was reportedly the target of militants for his alleged involvement in running a liquor shop in the guise of poultry business, the sources said.

The area was cordoned off by security forces but no one was arrested in this connection.