JAMMU, May 31: Manish Sahni, President of the Jammu & Kashmir unit of Shiv Sena (Uddhav Balasaheb Thackeray), has strongly criticized the government and administration over the worsening power and drinking water crisis across the Jammu division amid the ongoing heatwave. He said that the government’s claims of smart metering, digitization, and 24×7 power supply have failed on the ground, while people continue to suffer from prolonged unscheduled power cuts.
Sahni stated that Jammu & Kashmir is one of the country’s richest regions in hydropower resources, with an estimated potential of over 20,000 MW. At present, more than 3,500 MW is being generated through various hydroelectric projects, including Salal, Baglihar, Dulhasti, Kishanganga, and Uri. However, a significant share of the power generated from the region’s rivers is supplied to the national grid and utilized outside the Union Territory.
“It is ironic that Jammu & Kashmir, which produces electricity from its own natural resources, is compelled to purchase power at higher rates to meet its domestic requirements. Despite being resource-rich, the region continues to face power shortages and growing financial burdens,” Sahni said.
He further remarked, “The rivers are ours, the land is ours, and the environmental impact is borne by our people. Yet the benefits of the electricity generated from these resources largely go elsewhere while the people of Jammu & Kashmir endure power cuts. Our water, our power — the first right over its production should belong to the people of Jammu & Kashmir.”
Sahni said that crores of rupees have been spent on the smart meter project and consumers are paying their bills regularly, but there has been no visible improvement in power supply. Frequent outages are also disrupting drinking water supply, causing severe inconvenience to the public.
Shiv Sena (UBT) has demanded an immediate end to unscheduled power cuts, a larger share of power from J&K’s hydroelectric projects for local consumption, an increase in the free power quota from 12 percent to 40 percent, strengthening of the power distribution network, and adequate drinking water supply in affected areas.
Warning of public agitation, Sahni said that if immediate relief is not provided, Shiv Sena (UBT) will launch a mass movement in support of the people and take the issue to the streets.