Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Choudhary urged Opposition Leader Sunil Sharma to reveal the name of a 'big BJP leader' allegedly interfering in the 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project in Kishtwar. He stated that Kishtwar BJP MLA Shagun Parihar is merely a name in the controversy, and the real figure behind it needs to be identified. The project in-charge has blamed lawmakers for delays threatening the venture.
Jammu and Kashmir Deputy Chief Minister and National Conference leader Surinder Choudhary claimed on Friday that a 'big BJP leader' is involved in alleged interference in the 850 MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project in Kishtwar. Speaking at an event, he turned to Sunil Sharma, the Leader of the Opposition in the J&K Assembly and BJP's representative, saying: "You are a very tall leader of the Chenab Valley region (including Kishtwar) and you should yourself disclose the name of that leader to the public."
Choudhary stated that Kishtwar BJP MLA Shagun Parihar, named by the project in-charge for interfering with the work, is 'only a name in the controversy'. He emphasized the need to uncover 'who is the big BJP leader behind all this'. Sharma is one of the two Kishtwar MLAs, representing Padder, with Parihar as the other.
Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited's Chief Operating Officer Harpal Singh, the Ratle project in-charge, recently stated publicly that the work faces a two-year delay, warning that continued disruptions could force the company to withdraw from the project. He blamed Parihar largely, alleging she has been pressuring the company to hire 'her people'.
Choudhary noted that two months ago, he had raised that all works on under-construction hydro-electric projects in Kishtwar district are decided on the 'parchi (recommendations)' of 'a very big leader of the BJP'. He said: "It is on his parchi that a decision is taken as to who will be employed, or who will get contract for the supply of sand and bajri, or whose dumper or machine will be deployed for the project work."
With the project in-charge accusing MLAs of hindering work, Choudhary called for an inquiry. He stated: "Agencies need to intervene as these projects don’t belong only to J&K, but to the entire country." He criticized Sharma over BJP's claims of principled and nationalist leaders, asking: "Then why are you ruining these projects which belong to the nation?… If you have true nationalism, then companies working on these projects should be given a free hand and their officials allowed to work without interference."
Recruitment decisions should be based on ability and merit, he added, urging: "BJP leaders should let poor people in the area get the jobs." Sharma could not be contacted for comment, but Parihar denied any senior BJP leader's involvement and suggested the NC examine its own ranks. She had earlier dismissed Singh's allegations as 'irresponsible' and 'irrelevant', accusing him of recruiting mostly surrendered militants.
The Ratle plant is a long-pending hydel project on the Chenab river in the hilly Kishtwar district, a joint venture between the Centre and the J&K government.
