INSIDE STORY: CM wants MNCs to invest in J&K; DC Power creating hurdles

•State suffered estimated Rs 10 Cr revenue loss, Cos much higher

About 7000 men who were supposed to get job, lost livelihood opportunity

JAMMU, SEP 24: The Chief Minister (CM) of Jammu and Kashmir Omar Abdullah has not to fight only against separatists and opposition party but some officials within his own government posted on prestigious posts are working against his wishes thus adding more to public anger and doing anti development activities which will took the state aback instead of taking it a step ahead.

At his own level, CM Omar Abdullah has been trying hard to get some outside state investors into the Jammu and Kashmir, so the unemployed youth can be provided jobs but some officers at the important post are working against his wishes, aspirations and dream of making Jammu and Kashmir a prosperous state.

Such officers are working on such a lines which have not only resulted in harassment to those companies which are willing to invest in the state but also these companies have stopped their projects, while others which have already invested in crores have stopped further expansion with a result of which, State Govt has suffered at least Rs 8 to 10 crores of revenue loss so far since September 2009 and also about 7000 men who were to get jobs have lost their opportunity to livelihood.

Relevant to mention here that experts have already mentioned that unemployment is one among the cause of frustration among youth which is adding to militancy in the state. Experts also believe that the recent spurt in violence in Kashmir valley in which unemployed youth have taken to streets throwing stones and indulge in destructive activities is because of unemployment, as majority of youth in the state look for government jobs which are very limited and when the Multi National Companies (MNCs) are willing to invest or those already in operations are willing to expand, but some officials in Govt Departments like Power Development Department (PDD) have delayed the clearance process for 1027 telecom sites which will not only improve the communication facilities in the state but will also help in generating revenue for the state and employment for about 7000 men.

The companies which have applied for clearance of sites are Bharti Infratel, Reliance Communication, GTL Infrastructure, Indian telecom Infra ltd, BSNL, Dishnett Wireless Ltd, WTTL a Tata Company and Vodafone Essar Spacetel Ltd.

It was only on the intervention of Chief Secretary (CS) S.S Kapoor, directions were issued to Commissioner Secretary Power, to give the matter his immediate attention and get it settled down without any further delay. Upon this Administrative Department issued the orders but again Development Commissioner Power is delaying the process as he has to issue endorsement on the power sanction approved by the Administrative Department.

Sources said that the Development Commissioner Power is intentionally creating hurdles in the process with alleged intentions to extract some money from the telecom companies thus not issuing the endorsement. Interestingly on one hand the CM wants multinational companies to invest and create employment opportunities for youth in J&K and on the other hand such officials are doing the maximum damage for the reasons unknown.

Relevant to mention here that the signatures of all the members of Designate Committee on the site detail itself makes the sites approved by the concerned Chief Engineer and the Development Commissioner´s office but the Development Commissioner (Power) seems deliberately delaying the case allegedly for monetary benefits. One fails to understand that why he took three months to call a Designate Committee meeting despites directions from the Admistrative Department to call the meeting in 2 weeks.

When contacted Development Commissioner (Power) J&K, Asgar Ali Majaz said that these telecom companies have not mentioned the site locations in their requisition, they need to fix the site locations so the department can see about the availability of power at those locations. He added that if they submit the site location lists and No Objection from the Municipal Corporation, they will be given endorsement within 20 days after getting the details from our Chief Engineer".

Majaz further added that a letter has been written to Chief Engineer to get the sites verified. He rises a question that if the list as he claimed has not been submitted, then what he has to get verified. However, sources said that the list was submitted much earlier.

Relevent to mention here that this reporter has access to the list mentioning the site locations with complete addresses which has been submitted to the Administrative Department and Office of the Development Commissioner (Power).

Sources said that the process was started in September 2009 and was supposed to take maximum of two months but as the PDD delayed the process then again the matter was taken with the then Principal Secretary Power at 15 January 2010. The ignorant attitude and delayed tactics by the PDD has sent a wrong single to the MNCs and now the companies have stopped investing in Jammu and Kashmir and some who were thinking to make investments have rolled back projects from Jammu and Kashmir. The move of the MNCs is seen as a major set back for people of Jammu and Kashmir and those responsible for all this mess is Chief Engineer M&RE Division, the Executive Engineers, Development Commissioner Power and the Administrative Department. Sources in the MNCs alleged that such officers are after money and don´t move any file without getting money.

"If you need any clearance, you need to pay money otherwise they will show you the law which you can never believe" said a consultant for Telecom companies. "If the process continues, then how will the top companies work in the state", the consultant asked.

According to a letter no DC/PD/TO-II.42.496-50 dated 27-08-2010, the minutes of the Designate Meeting held on 16/17-08-2010 were forwarded for further necessary action. The meeting was held in the office chambers of Development commissioner Power at Lottery Building behind Civil Secretariat Srinagar. The meeting was attended by Asgar Ali Majaz, Development Commissioner (Power) as Convenor of the Designate Committee, besides others as members including Sonam Gallson, chief Engineer S&O Wing Jammu, Manzoor A Salroo, chief Engineer, EM & RE wing Kashmir, Gul Ayaz, Chief Engineer, S&O Wing Kashmir, Mohammed Qasim, Chief Engineer, EM $ RE Wing Jammu, S.F.R Kirmani, Chief Engineer, Plg & Design Wing J&K and Ms Frida Bhat, Deputy Secretary to Govt, Power Development Department. Besides Vinod Khujuria, Tech Officer with Dc (P) also attended the meeting wherein progress of various issues raised in Power Sector Facilitation Cell meeting held on 25-06-2010 was reviewed. During the meeting Chief engineer EM & RE Wing Jammu furnished a Division wise list of 1194 sites pertaining to various telecom service providers which include 939 commissioned sites against 776 sanctioned sites and balance 255 sites which were of TSP who have not sought sanction from the Power Sector Felicitation Cell while as Chief engineer EM& RE Wing Kashmir did not furnish any additional information except 329 sites have availed connection against 783 approved sites in respect of Reliance Communications and Vodafone Essar-spacetell as mentioned in minutes of the last PSF Cell meeting.

Both the Chief engineers of EM& Re wings informed that action under rules was being in initiated against the TSPs who have not compiled with the deadline of June, 2010 for providing metering on HT side.

The Chief Engineers EM&RE Wings informed that the detailed list of BTs sites of various TSPs could not be completed due to prevailing conditions and busy schedule of Distt Dev Board meetings.

It was further informed that the TSPs could not furnish MOU of sharing of tower sites as well as copy of order issued by DOT/TRAI in this regard. As such the action under rules was being initiated against the defaulters.

The Designate Committee members discussed and deliberated on the agenda circulated vide Development Commissioner (Power´s) letter no Dc/Pd/To-II/156/318-23, dated 23-07-2010 and supplementary Agenda circulated prior to meeting regarding power sanction case of various Telecom Service Providers (TSP) for their tower location spread over Jammu and Kashmir regions of the state.

It was informed that applications of various TSPs for 1027 sites spread over the regions of Jammu and Kashmir were received in different offices. After deliberation in length, it was decided to recommend the sanction to availability of power to the tune of 9210 KW for 709 sites and 3864 KW for 318 sites for Jammu and Kashmir regions respectively to Power Sector Felicitation Cell in the administrative Department to some conditions which include.

The final sanction to the BTS sites shall be accorded by concerned Chief Engineer of EM&RE Wing after obtaining the exact location of each BTS site on the basis of sanction from Power Sector, Facilitation Cell. The laying of necessary infrastructure viz tapping point, 11 KV tap line and 11/0.433 KV s/Stn duly protected on HV/LV side and provided with HV side 3 phase electronic Trivector metering shall be the responsibility of Telecom Service Provider. The 11 KV 11 KV Tapping point shall be allowed from nearest 11 KV feeder having adequate capacity at R/Stn & Grid Stn level. Any addition/alteration required in the infrastructure of PDD to accommodate the load of TSP shall be at the cost of TSP as per the requirement put forth by the department. The Telecom installation don not infringe on the existing power networks of PDD at transmission, sub-transmission or distribution level. The infrastructure added shall be strictly in conformity to the guidelines circulated vide DCP´s communication No. DC/PD/TO-I/42/3073-76 dated 01/01/2010. The material used shall be ISI marked. The TSP shall obtain fitness certificate from inspection agency of the Deptt. The distinct installation No-shall be assigned to each location by Division/Sib division concerned matching the particulars as applied. The network of TSP shall be physically energized only after fulfilment of above conditions in respect of each division.