KCCI for transferring back three NHPC-owned power projects

SRINAGAR: The Kashmir Chamber of Commerce and Industry ( KCCI) on Thursday asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to transfer back three key power projects to Jammu and Kashmir in order to ensure economic development.

The KCCI delegation, which met the Prime Minister on June 25 here, requested for transferring back the NHPC-controlled power houses -- Salal, Dulhasti and Uri -- to the state immediately for sustained economic development of the state, the trade body said in a statement.

The KCCI has also asked for allowing chartered international and domestic flights for high-profile tourists to the Sheikh-ul-Alam Airport Srinagar, it said.

The delegation asked for making the airport fully operational to handle international flights following a proper schedule to help the tourism in Kashmir to reap benefits.

The delegation asked the Prime Minister to make the packages, announced for the state, Kashmir-centric, keeping in view the damages and losses suffered by Kashmir trade, commerce, industry and tourism during the last 20 years. The KCCI also asked Singh to revive the committee constituted for reviewing the ban on the Shahtoosh.

"The Prime Minister assured the delegation that due attention shall be given to the demands made by it," the statement added.