Azad bats for new thermal projects in J&K

Anantnag, Mar 4: Former Chief Minister and Chairman Democratic Progressive Azad Party ( DPAP)  Ghulam Nabi Azad on Monday demanded the construction of four thermal power plants in Jammu and Kashmir.

"My request to Prime Minister would be to construct four thermal power plants each with a capacity of 1000 MWs in both Jammu and Kashmir divisions,"he told reporters at  Ashmuqam area of  south Kashmir’s Anantnag district.

He said that four  thermal power plants, two each in Jammu and Kashmir, would not only resolve the issue of electricity, but also electrify the un-electrified areas of the region.

"The electricity has not yet reached to several areas. There is no electricity in Gurez and Kishtwar's Marwah-Warwan areas of the region", he said.

Azad said that the Prime Minister stresses on start-ups and industries, but where is the electricity to run them.

"Every industry needs electricity. If we have to end poverty in the real sense, we need a seamless electricity so that our projects could run smoothly round the year", said Azad.

He said that the people could not be benefited out of internet unless there was an interrupted electricity.

Earlier addressing a public rally, Azad said that he was hopeful that the statehood would be restored.

"I gave a dozen speeches on Article 370 and statehood in the parliament . I did not leave them until they conceded to my demand of restoring the statehood", he said.

Azad said that he pressed for the statehood prior to the Assembly elections.

"But the Prime Minister and Home Minister said that they would restore it after the elections", he said.

The DPAP Chairman said that after the elections the people  had to exert more efforts to secure the statehood, ensuring that the government would not backtrack on its promise.

Azad asked the people to form such a government that would truly  represent them.

" I had fought both for the people of Jammu and Kashmir, and Muslims of India", he said.

Azad said that on the issue of lynchings, he shook the walls of the  parliament.

He said that he always raised the voice of minorities on the floor of house.

He said that if he came to power again, he would extend tourism to all areas of Kashmir to end the growing unemployment.