About the Video: That Kashmir consumes only around 1% of the total energy produced in the country, reflects the lack of development that plagues the state. Most of Kashmir receives electricity for only a few hours everyday.
In recent years, the government has carried out assessments which have identified untapped resources in the region. There has been an active and enterprising push towards generating adequate power for the state’s needs. One of the solutions promoted by the state to secure financing for projects is a model called BOOT (Build, Own, Operate and Transfer), wherein a private entity receives a concession from the government to finance, design, construct, and operate a facility. During the concession period the private company owns and operates the facility with the prime goal to recover the costs of investment and maintenance while trying to achieve higher margin on project. In Kashmir, the agreement is that 2% of the profits be directed towards the development of the village.
In the village of Branwar in Badgam District in the state got a power station built under the BOOT model. The plant has been operation but the villagers have been receiving electricity for less than two hours a day. The monthly rental has increased from Rs. 60/- to Rs. 230/-. Even families who are living below the Poverty Line receive no concessions. The electric poles are of inferior quality and dangerous to human life. One person in the village has already been killed by a dysfunctional pole. And 2% of the profits are yet to be seem by the community.
Call to Action: The Villagers of Branwar request the MLA to ensure that the village receives electricity, due concessions and that the aforementioned 2% is invested back into the village. Community Correspondent Sajad Rasool, a resident of Badgam, brings you their story. If you think you help the villagers of Branwar get their rights, contact us at info@videovolunteers.org
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