Ratle hydroelectric project in J&K faces political drama over hiring
The big Ratle hydroelectric project in Jammu and Kashmir is hitting a rough patch.
Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited (MEIL), the main company building it, says local politician Shagun Parihar is pushing them to hire more workers—even when there aren't open positions.
MEIL claims this pressure is causing frequent disruptions and has threatened to pull out if it continues, though they already have 960 locals out of 1,500 employees on site.
Both sides trade accusations as project future looks shaky
MEIL's joint COO Harpal Singh has warned they might pull out if the interference keeps up, and has even asked local authorities for help.
Meanwhile, MLA Parihar denies these claims and fires back that MEIL is letting go of locals and even hiring surrendered militants.
She's also called for an independent check on the project's environmental impact and says she might sue for defamation.
The project's new finish date is set for 2029, but with all this back-and-forth, things are looking uncertain.