ISLAMABAD: Senate Standing Committee on Water Resources on Friday sought details of "unimplemented agreement" between Water and Power Development Authority (Wapda) and the affectees of Neelum Jhelum Hydro Power Project (NJHPP).
The committee headed by Senator Shamim Afridi issued these instructions after hearing the viewpoints of Wapda, AJ&K government and the affectees of NJHPP, which is operating at full capacity.
The affectees have been raising the issue of compensation for years.
Chief Executive Officer (CEO) NJHPP informed the committee that construction of tunnel around the project was the only permanent solution to protect the residents against land sliding.
He further stated that the power plant is supplying electricity worth Rs 90 million to Central Power Purchasing Agency Guaranteed (CCPA-G) but no payment is being made to Wapda.
"CPPA-G has to pay Rs 90 billion to Wapda against supply of electricity from the power plant," the CEO added.
The affectees of NJHPP argued that they were not given compensation in accordance with the agreement.
According to the affectees, they have not been provided permanent residences as per the commitment made at the time of signing of the agreement.
The committee was informed that the land for the project was purchased at low price from the affectees but the commitment of residential colony was not honoured. The affectees maintained that they have been given a plot of three Marla each as temporary settlement. Senator Agha Shahzaib Durrani, who is also Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Planning, Development and Special Initiatives, asserted that the commitments made with the affectees were never honoured.
However, the CEO NJHPP stated that the construction of a colony for the affectees was not part of the agreement. The committee, which was annoyed by Wapda for not fulfilling commitment with affectees, directed the CEO NJHPP to present the agreement in its next meeting.
The committee also discussed present status/action on the seepage problems of Gudwalian Dam, district Haripur, KP.
Senator Pir Sabir Shah said that seepage from the dam was a very serious issue. He rejected the stance of Wadpa and other concerned authorities.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2020
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