Reported by Umer Maqbool in Greaterkashmir.com on 30 May 2012
In NHPC projects no vacancy at top for JK residents Lastupdate:- Wed, 30 May 2012 18:30:00 GMT GreaterKashmir.com

Srinagar, May 29: While the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) earns 50 percent of its profits from Jammu and Kashmir, the share of local employment, particularly in the top posts, in the power projects run by the Corporation here is meager. Going by NHPC revelation, JK residents seem to have been left for performing menial jobs in the power projects in the state, while non-locals walk away with prize postings and hefty pay packages.

In response to an application filed by Irfan Hafiz Lone, vice-president of Baramulla Bar Association, under Right to Information Act, NHPC has revealed that only 25 locals are holding executive positions in three power projects - Uri-1, Uri-II and Kishanganga - out of 207 such posts.

While the number of executive officers in Uri-1, having generating capacity of 480-MW, has been pegged at around 63, only four state subjects find a place among them. Similarly, the strength of local manpower in executive jobs is no different in two other under-construction projects.

In Uri-II, there are eight locals out of 82 and in Kishanganga project there are 13 natives among 62 executive officers. The representation of state in supervisory jobs in the three power projects is not quite different.

Against 67 supervisory positions in the three projects, only 16 are locals.

As per the reply, five state subjects are performing supervisory jobs in Uri-1, seven in Uri-II and four in Kishanganga power project.

But going by the details furnished by the NHPC, one thing is clear: only menial jobs are being left for local residents in the power projects.

Among 159 workmen in Uri-II, 156 are locals and the position vis-ŕ-vis workmen in other two projects is akin.

Around 167 and 89 locals are performing laborious jobs in Uri-1 and Kishanganga power projects respectively.

Meanwhile, civil society members said that NHPC is not adhering to the agreements made by it over providing employment to the locals in its power projects.

“The Corporation has breached all agreements made by it from time to time over absorbing local youth. While our environment is suffering colossal damage due to power projects, we are not getting benefit in return whether it is power share or employment,” former president of Federation of Chamber of Industries Kashmir (FCIK) Syed Shakeel Qalandar said.

He said they have not given fair representation to locals in class 3rd and 4th jobs and “plans are afoot by the power giant to outsource jobs for class 3rd and 4th posts in Uri-2 to deprive locals from employment.”