MIRPUR (AJK): Feb 11 (APP): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) Government and National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Friday signed MoU (memorandum of understanding) to utilize corporate social responsibility (CSR) funds.
The signing ceremony was held at Jammu and Kashmir House in the federal metropolis.
It was aimed at to address the environmental and economic problems arising out of Kohala Hydro power Project, Gulpur and Krote Hydropower Projects built on rivers where environmental problems have arisen.
The ceremony was attended among others by the Prime Minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi, Chairman NEPRA Tauseef H. Farooqi, Minister for Planning and Development Azad Jammu Kashmir Chaudhry Muhammad Rashid, Chief Secretary Shakeel Qadir Khan, Secretary Finance Ismatullah Shah, Legal Advisor to NEPRA Irfan Gul, Senior Advisor to NEPRA Hydro Projects Bahadur Shah, CRS Head Marufa Rafique, CRS Director Juria Jaffer and other concerned officials.
Signatories to the MoU included Secretary of the AJK State Electricity Chaudhry Muhammad Tayyab on behalf of Azad Jammu Kashmir government and Irfan Gul, Legal Adviser, on behalf of the NEPRA.
Speaking on this occasion, Azad Jammu and Kashmir Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi said that tackling environmental issues is one of our top priority of the government and no compromise will be made on environmental issues .
The Prime Minister stressed the need for close coordination between the state agencies and NEPRA for the effective implementation of the MoU that has been signed.
The Prime Minister said that hydropower projects, where they are essential for the growth of the national economy, need to address the environmental and social problems arising out of these projects.
He said It is necessary to take concrete steps and a comprehensive and effective strategy must be formulated in this regard. The change in the direction of rivers has created serious environmental problems in Azad Kashmir and effective Planning in this regard is imperative.
The Prime Minister Sardar Abdul Qayyum Niazi stressed that Hydro electric companies must allocate a portion of their revenue for the welfare of the affected population and provision of basic amenities to them and assured NEPRA of full cooperation of the government.
He said the PTI government’s policies are for the welfare of the people and in the interest of the state.
The Prime Minister said that the government does not believe in announcements and taking practical measures to serve the masses to bring about socio economic changes in the lives of the people.
NEPRA Chairman Tauseef H. Farooqi assured full cooperation by his organization to AJK government.
He said that NEPRA understands its responsibilities and assured full cooperation with the Azad Jammu Kashmir government in CSR and CIP but also in other related matters as well.