Jammu, Jan 10 (IANS) Kicking off another controversy, a Jammu and Kashmir minister Tuesday asserted that NHPC was never given the ownership rights to the power projects in the state.

Speaking at a seminar on the water resources of Jammu and Kashmir, Public Health Engineering Minister Taj Mohi-ud-Din said: "The NHPC (National Hydroelectric Power Corporation) was never given ownership of power projects as per the provisions of law except for their execution, operation and maintenance."

"Even the agency status given to the corporation expired in 1987. Therefore, these projects actually belong to the state," he said.

However, a cabinet subcommittee has recommended for payment to the corporation for taking over Uri and Salal projects which will enable Jammu and Kashmir "to become not only self-sufficient in power but also export it to other States and strengthen our economy to stand on our own legs".

Mohi-ud-din's statement comes at a time when the state is faced with severe power crisis and the NHPC is under a cloud after a protesting youth was shot dead outside a NHPC project in Baramulla district Jan 2.

The state government had blamed NHPC and Central Industrial Security Force (CISF) for the incident. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had described the youth's killing as "murder".

Five CISF men have been detained by the police.