JAMMU: Minister for Revenue, Relief and Rehabilitation Raman Bhalla today laid foundation stone of Rs. 3.98 crore Water Supply Scheme at Chatta taken up under National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP). On its commissioning, the 83864 gallon per hour discharge capacity deep drill tube well project would meet the drinking water requirements of Chatta, Bermini, Mohra Kut, Mohra Rorian and Mohra Daruni and Rati Sarari of Sunjwan area having a population of 10483 souls.

JAMMU: All J&K Movement for Peace and Justice today opposed the demand of some organizations that much delayed Food Safety & Standards Act 2006 be kept in abeyance for five years.

Talking to reporters here today Deep Singh a prominent member of the Movement said that any more delay towards the Act will prove suicidal. The issue is of great concern and the illogical demand of some organizations to keep the much delayed Food Safety and Standards Act 2006 for five years is anti people.

DODA: Expressing concern over poor road connectivity in Doda district, general secretary of the People's Democratic Party (PDP) Thakur Balbir Singh today said that works on the projects under Pradh

Revamping of power distribution network in 283 towns

JAMMU: Noting that Jammu and Kashmir has embarked on minimizing the Transmission and Distribution losses, the Planning Commission of India has given a positive response to the State Government on funding Rs 1245 crore worth project proposals aimed at revamping the power distribution network in 283 towns of the State.

SRINAGAR: Saying that Hydro Power is a renewable, economic and eco-friendly benign source of energy, the Minister of State for Power Shabir Ahmad Khan reiterated State Government's commitment to make the J&K self-reliant in electricity and to provide hydro energy to other States in future.

Addressing the delegates who participated in 2-day National Hydro-Power Convention held at SKICC, organized by India Tech Foundation on "harnessing hydro-power in Northern Himalayan-challenges and opportunities"

KISHTWAR: About 274 families in Darbshalla area in Inderwal Constituency of Kishtwar district are running from pillar to post for payment of compensation of 1100 kanals of cultivable land which has been occupied by the PDC for the construction of 850 mw Rattle Hydro Power Project.

The Project has been allotted to GVK Ltd an Andhra Pradesh based firm and the company has started work on the construction of project but the land owners are without compensation till date said, Shakti Parihar, BJP State Executive Member and a local leader of the area.

* Calls for review of Central power sharing formula

SRINAGAR: Terming imposition of water utilization charges on power generation companies as a right decision of his Government, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah today said that he would like the NHPC to re-look its terms and conditions regarding the implementation of hydro-electric projects by taking a leaf from the agreement the State has entered with the private power company vis-à-vis construction of Rattle Hydroelectric Project.

Replying to the queries of the Probationers on a wide range of subjects, the Governor observed that the unfortunate situation that prevailed in Jammu and Kashmir in the past years resulted not only in huge human and economic losses but also caused a severe damage to forest wealth.

He said that with the return of normalcy, greater attention is now being devoted to the conservation and regeneration of forests in the State. The Governor, who is Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, referred to the initiatives being taken by the Board for the conservation and promotion of green cover in the entire Shrine area in the Trikuta Hills.

SRINAGAR: Additional Secretary of Union Ministry of Power Davinder Choudhary convened a high level meeting of officers of NHPC, JKPDC and civil administration of the State here today to discuss execution of Hydro Electric Projects planned during 12th Plan and taken up by various agencies in Jammu and Kashmir.

Principal Secretary Power Development Department Sudanshu Panday, Managing Director JKPDC Basharat Ahmad Dhar, Secretary in Power Development Department, Secretary Technical Education, Chief Engineer PDD and Senior Officers of NHPC, JKPDC attended the meeting.

Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah and Union Minister for New and Renewable Energy, Dr. Farooq Abdullah today inaugurated 18 KW Solar Power Plant at Sub-District Hospital Charar-i-Sharief.

The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy has approved 69 solar power plants for the State to be installed in as many health institutions as backup power supply units. This involves an amount of Rs. 32.70 crore. The tenders for 32 such units have been finalized and for the remaining the process is going on.