*20% Power Share from Thein Dam Still Elusive, ₹15.94 Cr Compensation Pending: Govt*
*Over ₹3,747 crore electricity dues pile up; Omar flags infrastructure gaps, delays in compensation and employment issues*
Jammu, Apr 3 (KNC): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday revealed that despite a 1979 agreement with Punjab for a 20 percent share in power from Thein Dam and Shahpur Kandi barrage, the Union Territory is yet to receive any electricity due to lack of transmission infrastructure.
Replying to a query in the Assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Power Development portfolio, as per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC said, that although a power sale agreement was signed in 2019 for the Ranjit Sagar Dam project, no power is currently being supplied to J&K.
He further informed that out of the total compensation amount, around ₹15.94 crore is still pending for affected families, while issues related to employment for over 800 families also remain unresolved.
The Chief Minister said delays in compensation are partly due to incomplete documentation by beneficiaries, adding that the government is committed to ensuring payments once formalities are completed.
He also assured that the matter of pending commitments will be taken up with the Punjab Government, stressing that the agreement is a binding commitment between the two governments and must be honoured.
Meanwhile, the government disclosed that electricity dues across departments, PSUs, and security agencies in J&K have crossed ₹3,747 crore, with major liabilities attributed to departments like PHE and Irrigation & Flood Control.
Among security forces, significant dues are pending from CRPF, Army, and BSF, while several other departments including Housing, Health, and Municipal bodies also account for a large share of unpaid bills.
The Chief Minister said power distribution companies are actively working to recover the outstanding dues.
On essential supplies, Omar said there is no immediate shortage in J&K and sufficient stocks, including fuel, are available for the next 10–15 days, though he cautioned that prolonged global instability could have an impact.
He also informed that over 16,000 kanals of land under the Jammu Development Authority are under illegal occupation, with eviction drives being carried out in a phased manner. (KNC)
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