SRINAGAR, October 30 : Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and Pulwama MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para has raised concerns over a potential revenue loss of Rs 1,000 crore to Jammu and Kashmir following the High Court’s decision to strike down water usage charges imposed on hydropower projects.
Reacting to the verdict on Friday, Para said the High Court had quashed government demand notices dating back to 2010, raising questions about the administration’s handling of the legal case and its efforts to protect the financial interests of Jammu and Kashmir.
The High Court of Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh had ruled that imposing water usage charges on hydropower projects amounted to taxing electricity generation, a subject beyond the legislative competence of the erstwhile Jammu and Kashmir legislature.
The court declared the relevant provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010, unconstitutional and set aside all consequential demand notices issued under the provisions.
Para also questioned why the post of Advocate General had remained vacant for nearly two years. He further expressed concern over the Law Department being under the Chief Minister, raising doubts about the administration’s legal preparedness to defend Jammu and Kashmir’s interests.
“If this is how we defend our interests, what hope is there for the statehood case?” Para asked in a post on X.
