Srinagar, Oct 30: Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leader and MLA Pulwama Waheed ur Rehman Para on Friday flagged 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 judgment of the Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh High Court, Para said the court had quashed government demand notices dating back to 2010, raising serious questions about the administration’s handling of the case and its efforts to protect the financial interests of Jammu and Kashmir.
The PDP leader also questioned the absence of an Advocate General for nearly two years and pointed out that the Law Department was under the Chief Minister, expressing concern over the administration’s legal preparedness to defend the interests of the Union Territory.
“If this is how we defend our interests, what hope is there for the statehood case?” Para asked in a post on X.
Pertinently, the High Court had struck down the relevant provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources (Regulation and Management) Act, 2010, holding that imposing water usage charges on hydropower projects amounted to taxing electricity generation, a subject beyond the legislative competence of the erstwhile J&K legislature.
The court declared the provisions ultra vires the Constitution and quashed all consequential demand notices issued by the Government.