Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Monday called for action against those allegedly hindering the construction of power projects in the union territory, The Indian Express reported.

“There should be no interference, and it [interference] should be taken seriously,” Abdullah told reporters in Srinagar. “This is why I said the institutions, which were earlier with the elected government, should be given back to us. I am the power minister, but the Jammu and Kashmir Power Development Corporation has not been given to us yet.”

His comments came after an official from the Megha Engineering and Infrastructure Limited company alleged that Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Shagun Parihar was interfering with the 850-megawatt Ratle Hydroelectric Project on the Chenab river in the Kishtwar district.

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Harpal Singh, the person in charge of the project alleged the near two-year delay was primarily “due to continued interference by local politicians and indiscipline by their supporters”.

Singh claimed that the politicians and their supporters were trying to pressure project officers into fulfilling illegitimate demands, PTI reported. The demands were about awarding contracts and large-scale recruitment, despite there being no vacancies, he alleged.

Singh also warned that continued disruptions could force the company to pull out of the project.

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On Monday, the chief minister said the project was of national importance, highlighting that if the allegations were raised about any ministers from his party, “by now the ACB (anti-corruption bureau) would have already raided him”, The Indian Express reported.

“These projects are not only for Jammu and Kashmir but for the entire India,” he added. “The agencies should look into it.”

Abdullah also alleged that while only the name of one MLA has surfaced, “two opposition MLAs are interfering in all projects in Kishtwar district”, in a reference to Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma.