Khanduri blames Centre for Uttarakhand’s power crisis

With the prevailing power crisis being one of the most crucial issues in the forthcoming Pauri Garhwal bypolls...

With the prevailing power crisis being one of the most crucial issues in the forthcoming Pauri Garhwal bypolls, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Major General B C Khanduri (retd) on Tuesday started a tirade against the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) Government at the Centre accusing it of discriminating against Uttarakhand on the issue of giving power during the winter months. The CM was speaking at a function on Tuesday to announce the achievements of his one-year-old Government.

“We are dependent on gas-based plants for our power needs and these were shut during winter months without any prior notice, leading to power crunch,” he said.

Responding to the Congress’ allegations that his Government had failed to follow the practice of power banking during summer months, Khanduri asked that if a state commits a mistake, does it mean that the Centre will not give it power. “The Centre had provided cheap power to the earlier Congress-led Government in the state, but has forced us to to buy power at exorbitant rates,” he said.

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He further alleged that the wheat quota for the state has been reduced from 18,770 metric tonne to 1566 metric tonne. “I had met Union Agriculture Minister Sharad Pawar and written to him as well, but have not yet received any response,” he added.

On the issue of reducing the incentive period for industry in the state by the Centre, Khanduri said the NDA Government in 2003 had given an incentive package to attract industry in the state. “The period was reduced first to 2007 and then after lot of efforts it was raised till 2010. In the National Development Council meeting, I had demanded for some more time for incentives to continue,” he said, adding that the UPA Government has also stopped the four-lane road project between Delhi and Dehradun.

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