Ratle power project developer alleges pressure from BJP leaders to hire locals

The developer of the Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project in Jammu’s Kishtwar district has alleged that local BJP leaders are pressuring and “threatening” the company to hire more local workers or surrender the project, even as the party leadership has strongly denied the charge.

Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Ltd (MEIL), the current developer of the upcoming 850-MW Ratle project, on Friday issued an advisory to its workforce cautioning against participation in any strike or work stoppage, warning that such actions would be treated as a breach of contract.

In the advisory, the company said that any form of strike would invite “severe consequences”, including termination of employment, legal action and suspension of construction work for an indefinite period.

Speaking to The Tribune on Saturday, Megha’s Joint Chief Operating Officer, Harpal Singh, said the advisory was issued amid growing pressure from local BJP leaders and workers demanding increased hiring of locals.

“BJP leaders, including the local MLA and party workers, are threatening us to either hire more workers or surrender the project. We have clearly informed them that there are no vacancies at present,” Singh said, adding that the matter had been brought to the notice of the local administration and police.

Rejecting claims that locals were being ignored in recruitment, Singh said a majority of the workforce was from Jammu and Kashmir. “Out of 1,434 labourers currently engaged at the project, nearly 85 per cent are from the Union Territory, and around 960 workers are from Kishtwar district alone,” he said.

Amid the standoff, a workers’ union, Bhawan Nirman Mazdoor Sangh (BNMS), which claims to represent labourers employed at the Ratle project, wrote to the Union and UT governments alleging interference by “unauthorised and non-representative individuals” within the project premises.

“In recent days, certain elements have attempted to disturb the peaceful and disciplined working environment maintained by the workers and management. Their actions appear motivated by personal interests rather than genuine concerns of the workforce,” the letter said. The union warned that such attempts could create unrest, misinformation and confusion among workers who remain committed to their duties.

However, a separate notice issued on Friday by Kisan Mazdoor Union president Sanjay Parihar accused the project management of failing to honour a prior settlement regarding the re-engagement of 38 locally retrenched workers.

“The management had agreed and signed a settlement to reappoint these workers on priority. However, none of them have been re-engaged so far, while fresh workers are being hired for the same work,” Parihar said. He demanded that the listed workers be reinstated within 14 days, warning of legal agitation in case of non-compliance.

Local BJP MLA Shagun Parihar did not respond to calls seeking comment. Meanwhile, senior BJP leader and party general secretary for Jammu and Kashmir, Ashok Koul, dismissed the allegations. “This is completely baseless. Why would we threaten anyone? If there is any such issue, they are free to approach the police. These claims are not true,” Koul said.

The Ratle Hydroelectric Power Project is being constructed on the Chenab river in Kishtwar district and has an installed capacity of 850 MW. The Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs granted approval for the project in January 2021 at an estimated cost of Rs 5,281.94 crore.