Not miffed with Dr Singh, says Farooq Abdullah

National Conference leader Dr Farooq Abdullah was not upset about being given the charge of the relatively unknown Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, according to his son, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.

"Dr Sahib has novel ideas and I am sure that he will implement them," said the young CM.

Dr Abdullah too denied reports about him being miffed with the low-profile portfolio. "I will make the ministry high-profile with my work and dedication. I am not angry. But my officers may get angry with me as I make them work," Dr Abdullah said.

His new office is located inside the Central Government Office complex at Lodhi Road.

Dr Abdullah, whose ministry has been snidely referred to as the 'gobar gas ministry' by certain local newspapers in Kashmir, asserted that he had a challenging task ahead since his job was to ensure fuel security for the future generations.

"This ministry is a challenge and I take this challenge head on. I am happy that I have been entrusted with the job which ultimately benefits our future generations. No profile is big or small. It is just a perception of people. I think I am small for the New and Renewable Energy Ministry. This portfolio is bigger than me," he told reporters.

He plans to set up several small dams in Kashmir, to generate electricity in a power-starved state. "Over one hundred such dams set up by the Indian army are not functional and we will have to ensure that they start working again," said a close aide of the minister.

Plans are also being made to implement similar schemes in other mountain states like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and the North Eastern states.