MLA Waheed Para hits at NC-led Government for Rs 1,000-crore loss to J&K over hydropower water usage charges

STC NEWS DESK
SRINAGAR, OCTOBER 30 (STC): Taking a dig at National Conference-led Jammu and Kashmir Government, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed-ur-Rehman Para has alleged that Jammu and Kashmir had suffered a financial setback of around Rs 1,000 crore after the Jammu and Kashmir High Court quashed demands related to hydropower water usage charges dating back to 2010.
In his post on ‘X’, Waheed Para states: “1,000 crore blow to J&K. The High Court has struck down hydropower water usage charges, quashing demands dating back to 2010. After two years without an Advocate General, with the Law Department under the CM, J&K has lost a crucial water revenue battle. If this is how we defend our interests, what’s hope for statehood case?”
It’s worth mentioning that the High Court of Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh struck down provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010, ruling that water usage charges levied on independent hydropower producers amount to an impermissible tax on electricity generation.
A division bench of Justices Rajnesh Oswal and Sanjay Dhar ruled in favor of 13 independent power producers, including Mass N Energy Pvt Ltd and other firms.
Charges were based on turbine head height rather than actual water consumption, classifying the levy as a tax on electricity generation outside the legislature’s purview under Entry 17 of List-II.
(Straight Talk Communication)