Usman Majid accusses NHPC of Betraying Bandipora Landowners
"Locals Denied Jobs, Outsiders Favored; Demands High-Level Probe"
Suhail Rather
Bandipora, April 16: Former Minister Usman Majid Wednesday accused National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) of
Betraying Bandipora land owners who gave away their lands for the Power Project in the district.
Taking to Social media, amajid said NHPC
breached a crucial Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed during the establishment of its power project in Bandipora, saying the agreement, meant to ensure employment for land-donating families that is allegedly being ignored, with outsiders reportedly being favoured for jobs.
Former MLA has taken strong exception to what he termed a betrayal of the people of Bandipora. He alleged that NHPC has sidelined local youth and is instead hiring non-locals through private contractors, flouting the commitment made to affected families.
“This is not just a violation of a formal MoU but a betrayal of the people’s trust. Families who gave up their ancestral land for the power project are now forced to watch outsiders being employed while their own youth remain jobless,” Majid said in a statement.
He added that many of these families are already suffering due to damage to their homes and increased pollution as a result of the power project.
Raising questions over NHPC’s hiring process, Majid demanded accountability and transparency. “Who cleared the appointments of these outsiders? What is the selection criteria? Why were the locals, especially those whose lands were acquired, left out?” he asked.
He called upon the Lieutenant Governor’s administration to take immediate notice of the matter and initiate a high-level probe into the alleged violations. “The NHPC cannot be allowed to exploit our resources while denying our people their rightful due. The youth of Bandipora were promised jobs, and these promises must be honoured,” Majid said.
The issue has reignited debate around corporate social responsibility, transparency in public-private partnerships, and the rights of landowners in Kashmir’s infrastructure development projects. Majid affirmed his commitment to standing with the people of Bandipora, warning that continued neglect could lead to public unrest.
