Srinagar: All Parties Hurriyat Conference on Monday expressed serious concern at the Jammu and Kashmir authorities’ decision to privatize assets of the JK Power Department and merge it with the Power Grid Corporation of India.
“At no other place in India has such kind of a merger taken place as the authorities are doing here. In this manner it becomes obvious that the policy of seizure of natural resources of JK by the Government of India continues, naturally leading to anxiety and unease among people and fear for the loss of their resources,” Hurriyat said in a statement.
The statement said that Hurriyat supports the demands of the thousands of employees of the Power Development Department (now Corporation) of Jammu and Kashmir in this regard.
The statement said that it is unfortunate that Jammu and Kashmir, which is rich in water and other natural resources, has not been able to solve the problem of electricity even after seven decades, and the consequences are borne by the Kashmiris in winters and the people of Chenab and Jammu in summers.
Instead of addressing this issue those in power are furthering their agenda of disempowering the people of JK and usurping our resources, it said.
Hurriyat asked the authorities to desist from such policies and accept the demand of the striking employees.
Pertinently, the strike from Power department employees against the privatization move entered the third day on Monday, while the Jammu and Kashmir administration is yet to negotiate with the protesting employees.
Parts of Jammu and Kashmir are reeling under darkness as employees from Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Department are refraining from restoring the electricity in the areas that have developed snags.
Earlier, a PDD official told Free Press Kashmir that the “strike will continue till the demands of the employees are not met and a proper plan is not shared”.
However, the stand-off has caused immense difficulties in various districts of Jammu and Kashmir.
There has been a total blackout in Doda, Kishtwar, Rajouri and Poonch districts of Jammu region besides several sub-divisions across JK including Pulwama, Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, and Tral.
In Jammu city, several areas including, Roopnagar, Chinore, Muthi, Bantalab, Durga Nagar, Paloura, Rehari, Resham Ghar Colony, Talab Tilloo, about half a dozen localities of Old Jammu City, parts of Satwari, Chatha, Trikuta Nagar and Gangyal have witnessed total blackout.
Chief Engineer PDD, Aijaz Ahmad said that the department is trying to get the employees back to work, however, he said it cannot be ascertained how much time it will take.
When asked about the inconvenience caused to the general public, he said, “Everyone is aware of the strike. Employees are on strike we are trying to negotiate with them. I cannot say how much time it will take.”
He added that for hospitals, the department has made sure that the electricity supply continues.
Convenor, Jammu and Kashmir Power Employees and Engineers Coordination Committee, Munshi Majid Ali said that Chief Engineer is not a competent authority as he is also part of the Coordination Committee which is on strike.
“Let the Administrative Secretary Niteshwar Kumar authorize any person on his behalf, but as of now we didn’t get any response from the Admin,” Munshi Majid Ali told reporters.
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