J&K set to create ripples with ‘hydropower tourism'
SRINAGAR: J&K's Omar-Abdullah-led government has started dipping its toes in 'hydropower tourism' with plans to allow hydel electricity generators to set up on-site tourism facilities as an incentive to attract more investors into such projects.
J&K's Draft Hydro Power Policy, 2025, proposes tourism infrastructure in hydel projects up to 25MW. A senior official said the infrastructure could include hotels, parks, guesthouses, and water sports facilities The draft policy, reviewed earlier this week by chief minister Omar, will soon be released for public feedback.
The policy assumes significance after the Centre put
Indus Waters Treaty
(IWT) with Pakistan in abeyance following the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack.
Omar's National Conference (NC) has long opposed IWT, calling it detrimental to J&K's interests and arguing that it ceded control of river waters to Pakistan without consulting the region.
Such tourism facilities will be allowed to be set up only after hydel projects up to 25MW go on stream. 'The policy clearly says after the main hydropower project is completed and begins operating, they can apply to build tourism infrastructure.
by Taboola
by Taboola
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links
Promoted Links
Promoted Links
You May Like
Pirates Climb Aboard Cargo Ship - Watch What The Captain Did Next
Tips and Tricks
Undo
The aim is to increase income and support local economic growth,' the official said.
The incentive has been limited for projects up to 25 MW as they typically come up on small streams and offer good tourism potential, while larger hydel plants are located on major rivers with little scope for ancillary amenities, the official explained. J&K has an estimated hydropower potential of over 20,000MW but less than 15% is harnessed.
Govt expects good response to the new policy. The official cited Ranjit Sagar Dam (also known as Thein Dam) at Pathankot in neighbouring Punjab as an example, pointing out that the area, with lush gardens and scenic surroundings, had turned into a popular picnic destination. 'J&K's upcoming hydropower projects offer similar tourism potential,' the official said.
While hydropower developers in J&K will be required to provide 12% of the generated electricity free to the Union territory under the new policy, the obligation will remain suspended during the initial years to ease the burden on developers.
Developers will be allowed to retain all tourism revenue from the start, without no sharing with govt. However, after 40 years, developers must hand over the 'hydel project' and 'all related tourism infrastructure in good operating condition' to govt.
The draft policy categorises projects into two segments, up to 25MW, and between 25MW and 100 MW. It proposes waiver of water usage charges for all projects, classifying them as 'non-consumptive users'. Developers will also benefit from carbon credit incentives and receive 100% exemption on registration fees and stamp duty on land purchases, leases, or mortgages related to the projects.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Mint
24 minutes ago
- Mint
Chhangur Baba, accused of running religious conversion racket, money laundering, send to five-day ED custody
Chhangur Baba alias Jalaluddin was remanded to the Enforcement Directorate (ED) custody on Monday by a special Prevention of Money Laundering Act (PMLA) court in Lucknow. The court was hearing a case related to a money laundering investigation against Chhangur and his associates linked to an alleged illegal conversion racket in Uttar Pradesh, officials said. According to a PTI report, Chhangur Baba alias Jalaluddin alias Karimulla Shah has been in jail in the predicate offence case being investigated by the Uttar Pradesh Police's Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS). The ED had applied to the court for his custody following which it was allowed a five-day remand of the accused till August 1, the officials said. He will be questioned in jail and his statement will be recorded under the PMLA, they added. Earlier this month, the federal agency had conducted searches at Chhangur's native place in Balrampur district and two locations in Mumbai. The ED had said that the accused had received funds worth ₹ 60 crore in 22 bank accounts, including 'large amounts' from abroad. The money-laundering case against Chhangur Baba stems from the ATS FIR filed at a police station in Lucknow's Gomti Nagar under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and the Uttar Pradesh Prohibition of Unlawful Religious Conversion Act, 2021. Chhangur Baba, his son Mehboob and alleged associates Naveen Rohra alias Jamaluddin and Neetu Rohra alias Nasreen were arrested by the ATS. They are currently lodged in a jail. Chhangur Baba has been accused of being involved in a 'large-scale' conspiracy which includes religious conversions, utilisation of foreign funds, and activities posing a potential threat to national security, as reported by PTI. The ED said, 'Chhangur Baba and his associates are alleged to have established an extensive network operating from the premises of the Chand Auliya Dargah in Balrampur, where he regularly organised large gatherings attended by both Indian and foreign nationals.' 'He is accused of systematically inducing, coercing, and manipulating indiduals of other faiths, particularly Scheduled Castes, and economically disadvantaged persons belonging to Hindu religion, into religous conversion,' the probe agency added. The ED searches also led to the seizure of a number of documents that show that the 'proceeds of crime' (illicit funds) were majorly transferred to different people for purchasing a number of immovable properties worth crores of rupees and carrying out construction in these properties. All the immovable assets acquired by Chhangur Baba are in the names of Naveen Rohra and Neetu Rohra to conceal his actual involvement in money laundering, the ED has said.
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Will AI take away our sense of purpose? Sam Altman says, ‘People Will have to redefine what it means to contribute'
In a rare, thought-provoking conversation that danced between comedy and existential crisis, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman sat down with podcaster Theo Von on This Past Weekend. What unfolded was less a traditional interview and more a deeply human dialogue about the hopes, fears, and massive unknowns surrounding artificial intelligence. As AI continues its unstoppable advance, Von posed a question many of us have been quietly asking: 'Are we racing toward a future where humans no longer matter?' Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Digital Marketing Data Science Data Analytics Artificial Intelligence others Project Management Leadership Management Operations Management Technology Product Management Cybersecurity CXO Design Thinking Public Policy Others Data Science Finance PGDM Degree Healthcare MBA MCA healthcare Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategy Search Engine Optimization (SEO) & Content Marketing Social Media Marketing & Advertising Data Analytics & Measurement Duration: 24 Weeks Indian School of Business Professional Certificate Programme in Digital Marketing Starts on Jun 26, 2024 Get Details Skills you'll gain: Digital Marketing Strategies Customer Journey Mapping Paid Advertising Campaign Management Emerging Technologies in Digital Marketing Duration: 12 Weeks Indian School of Business Digital Marketing and Analytics Starts on May 14, 2024 Get Details 'We're Still the Main Characters'—But for How Long? Altman didn't sugarcoat the situation. He agreed with many of Von's concerns, from data privacy to AI replacing jobs, and even the unnerving pace at which the technology is evolving. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Never Put Eggs In The Refrigerator. Here's Why... Car Novels Undo 'There's this race happening,' Altman said, referring to the breakneck competition among tech companies. 'If we don't move fast, someone else will — and they might not care as much about the consequences.' But amid all the alarms, Altman offered a cautious dose of optimism. 'Even in a world where AI is doing all of this stuff humans used to do,' he said, 'we are going to find a way to feel like the main characters.' His tone, however, betrayed a sense of uncertainty: the script isn't written yet. You Might Also Like: Telling secrets to ChatGPT? Using it as a therapist? Your AI chats aren't legally private, warns Sam Altman AI and the Crisis of Human Purpose Perhaps the most powerful moment came when Von bluntly asked: 'What happens to our sense of purpose when AI does everything for us?' Altman acknowledged that work has always been a major source of meaning for people. While he's hopeful that AI will free humans to pursue more creative or emotional pursuits, he conceded that the transition could be deeply painful. 'One of the big fears is like purpose, right?' Von said. 'Like, work gives us purpose. If AI really continues to advance, it feels like our sense of purpose would start to really disappear.' Altman responded with guarded hope: 'People will have to redefine what contribution looks like… but yeah, it's going to be unsettling.' You Might Also Like: Sam Altman wishes to give 'free GPT-5' to everyone on Earth: OpenAI CEO's bold dream sparks awe and alarm AI as Therapist? The Privacy Dilemma We Can't Ignore In what may be one of the most revealing admissions from a tech CEO, Altman addressed the disturbing trend of people — especially young users — turning to AI as a confidant or therapist. 'People talk about the most personal sh*t in their lives to ChatGPT,' he told Von. 'But right now, if you talk to a therapist or a lawyer or a doctor about those problems, there's legal privilege… We haven't figured that out yet for when you talk to ChatGPT.' With AI tools lacking legal confidentiality protections, users risk having their most intimate thoughts stored, accessed, or even subpoenaed in court. The privacy gap is real, and Altman admitted the industry is still trying to figure it out. A Legal Gray Zone and a Growing Cloud of Concern Adding to the complexity, Altman highlighted how the lack of federal AI regulations has created a patchwork of rules that vary wildly across states. This legal uncertainty is already playing out in real-time — OpenAI, for example, is currently required to retain user conversations, even deleted ones, as part of its legal dispute with The New York Times. 'No one had to think about that even a year ago,' Altman said, calling the situation 'very screwed up.'
Time of India
28 minutes ago
- Time of India
Republican Nancy Mace says she enjoys watching ICE deportation videos, sparks outrage
Republican Congresswoman Nancy Mace has openly said she enjoys watching online videos of undocumented immigrants being arrested in court by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. 'I have to tell you, one of my favourite things to watch on YouTube these days are the court hearings where illegals are in court and ICE shows up to drag them out of court and deport them,' Mace told host Jon Scott on Fox Report Weekend. She added, 'I can think of nothing more American today than keeping our streets safer by getting those violent criminals out of the United States of America, and we all have Donald J. Trump to thank for it.' Explore courses from Top Institutes in Please select course: Select a Course Category Degree Leadership Cybersecurity Design Thinking Others Finance Digital Marketing Project Management CXO PGDM Management MCA healthcare Product Management MBA Artificial Intelligence Data Science Technology Data Analytics Operations Management others Public Policy Healthcare Data Science Skills you'll gain: Data-Driven Decision-Making Strategic Leadership and Transformation Global Business Acumen Comprehensive Business Expertise Duration: 2 Years University of Western Australia UWA Global MBA Starts on Jun 28, 2024 Get Details The remarks come as Trump's second term has seen a sharp increase in ICE arrests . According to the Transactional Records Access Clearinghouse, as of 13 July, over 56,000 people were in ICE detention. More than 70 percent of them had no criminal convictions. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Play War Thunder now for free War Thunder Play Now Undo Outrage across party lines Mace's comments drew immediate criticism. Former Republican Congressman Joe Walsh posted on X, 'Getting off on watching YouTube clips of immigrants at their court hearings grabbed by ICE is twisted & cruel.' He added, 'The cruelty is the point. The … Republican party base gets off on this cruelty. She knows who she's talking to.' Progressive X user Richard Angwin, who has more than 200,000 followers, wrote, 'Nancy Mace's gleeful endorsement of ICE's courthouse ambushes on undocumented immigrants exposes her as a hypocritical opportunist who prioritises performative cruelty over constitutional due process and American values of fairness.' Live Events Her interview followed a Guardian report on a separate incident in Florida, where ICE officers were filmed telling a teenage US citizen, 'You've got no rights,' after pulling him over while he was on his way to work with two undocumented men. That video has reignited concerns about the tactics ICE agents use during routine stops. New push to defund sanctuary cities During the same Fox News segment, Mace confirmed she is backing legislation aimed at punishing sanctuary cities . These are jurisdictions that limit cooperation with federal immigration authorities. 'I have a bill that would defund and take tax breaks away from sanctuary cities all across the country,' Mace said. Fox News also displayed ICE data during her appearance. It showed that New York City saw fewer than 9,500 detainer requests during Joe Biden's presidency. In contrast, within the first seven months of Trump's return to office, more than 6,000 detainers were issued in the same city. 'Even in South Carolina , Democrats and Republicans alike, they don't want the sanctuary policies,' she claimed. 'And that's why Democrats are going to continue to fail at the ballot box because they're putting illegals over real, true American citizens.' Gubernatorial run likely Mace, currently in her second term representing South Carolina in Congress, is now seriously considering a 2026 bid for governor. Asked about the rumours, she said, 'I'll be making a decision over the next couple of days about my future.' She continued, 'I believe I may be forced to run for governor because I can't watch my beautiful red state of South Carolina go woke.' If she runs, she'll enter a crowded Republican field. Representative Ralph Norman, Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette, and Attorney General Alan Wilson are all expected contenders. A recent report by the New Hampshire Union Leader suggested Mace had 'all but confirmed' her candidacy during a visit to the early primary state. A pattern of provocation This isn't Mace's first brush with controversy. Since arriving in Washington in 2021, she has built a public image around divisive cultural issues. She has repeatedly attacked Delaware's Sarah McBride, the first openly transgender member of Congress, and opposes laws allowing transgender women to use women's restrooms. She has even posed for photos outside public toilets in protest. In February, Mace gave a 50-minute speech in the House accusing four men, including her former fiancé, of rape and abuse. During the televised address, she said to them, 'You've booked yourself a one-way ticket to hell. It is nonstop. There are no connections.' Mace's praise for Trump marks a shift in tone. After the Capitol riots in January 2021, she criticised the former president, saying his 'entire legacy was wiped out.' She now calls him 'the best president of our lifetime,' according to a recent post on X. The congresswoman's alignment with Trump's immigration agenda and her sharp rhetoric appear to be positioning her firmly in line with the Republican Party's hard-right base, especially as she eyes higher office.
