Ramban residents form JAC, oppose shift of Sawalkote projects
Srinagar: Residents of Ramban in Indian illeglaly occupied formed a Joint Action Committee (JAC) to oppose any move to shift benefits and road connectivity of the Sawalkote Hydroelectric Project away from the district.
According to Kashmir Media Service, at a public meeting at Dak Bungalow, Ramban, locals, youth and civil society members said the district must remain the primary stakeholder in the project. They warned that any diversion of project-related advantages or access routes would be resisted.
Speakers objected to a proposal reportedly sent by Indian Minister Jitendra Singh to Manohar Lal Khattar, based on MLA Pawan Kumar Gupta’s suggestion for road connectivity from Udhampur. They said all-weather road access must remain through Ramban.
The meeting demanded that the project’s focus stay in Ramban, road connectivity be through the district, compensation follow the Fair Compensation Act, and locals get first preference in jobs. Fairoz Khan was elected president of the new Sawalkote JAC, with Muzaffar Lone as legal advisor. The 15-member panel will engage with authorities.
A press conference is planned for May 1, Labour Day, and a public rally has been proposed. The 1,856 MW Sawalkote project on the Chenab river is being built. Of the total 1,401 hectares needed, nearly 1,097 hectares are in Ramban, which also has about 89 percent of the submergence area. The project spans Ramban, Udhampur and Reasi districts.
