JAMMU — The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday informed the Assembly that the Sewa-II hydropower project in Kathua district has generated a revenue of Rs 3,674 crore since its inception in July 2010, but no direct expenditure on local area development has been met from the revenue.
In a written reply to a question by MLA Dr Rameshwar Singh, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said the 120-MW Sewa-II Hydro Electric Project in Kathua’s Mashka area is being operated and maintained by National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
He said NHPC has generated Rs 3,674 crore from the project since July 2010 and has paid Rs 32 crore towards the Local Area Development Fund (LADF).
Abdullah clarified that none of the revenue generated from the project has been specifically utilised for local area development, adding that infrastructure works in the region are being carried out through the Union Territory’s capital expenditure budget.
He said the one per cent contribution towards LADF and 12 per cent free power allocation by NHPC are being used to meet the UT’s power purchase cost, ensuring electricity supply to consumers at reasonable rates.
In total, Jammu and Kashmir Power Corporation Limited receives 13 per cent free power, including LADF, from the Sewa-II hydropower project, the chief minister added. — (PTI)