Shimla, Nov 7,
Three hydropower projects allotted to Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) by the former BJP government in Himachal Pradesh are under review, with the state government issuing cancellation notices.
The matter was discussed today in Shimla during a meeting between Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Union Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar. Following the meeting, the Chief Minister stated that the Union government has assured Himachal Pradesh a decision will be made soon, with consultations involving SJVNL to take place.
Chief Minister Sukhu expressed that if SJVNL does not align with the state’s energy policy, the Himachal Pradesh government is prepared to take over the 210 MW Luhri Phase-1, 382 MW Sunni, and 66 MW Dhaulasidh projects. He also assured that the state would compensate SJVNL for expenditures made on these projects to date.
He further noted that SJVNL initiated work on these projects without formalizing an implementation agreement and emphasized that Himachal Pradesh must receive its fair share of benefits from its water resources. In response, the Union Minister directed SJVNL officials to provide a final position by January 15, 2025.
During the meeting, the Chief Minister also highlighted the state’s energy policy, which mandates a tiered royalty structure for power projects: 12% for the first 12 years, 18% for the following 18 years, and 30% for the final 10 years. He pointed out that private sector companies already comply with this structure and advocated for central public sector units (PSUs) to do the same.
Another issue raised by Chief Minister Sukhu was the return of the 110 MW Shanan project in Mandi district from Punjab to Himachal Pradesh, noting that the lease period for Punjab has ended. He requested the Union government’s support in securing the transfer of this project, emphasizing that the Shanan project area was never part of the erstwhile Punjab, meaning the Punjab Reorganization Act of 1966 should not apply. The Union Minister assured him of a review of the Act.
Additionally, the Chief Minister urged the Union government to instruct the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to release Himachal Pradesh’s outstanding power dues of 13,066 million units from November 1996 to October 2011. He cited a Supreme Court ruling in favor of the state, which has yet to receive its rightful share. The Union Minister assured that he would convene a meeting with the relevant states to reach a resolution.
The Union Minister also directed officials to expedite the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in Himachal Pradesh, emphasizing the importance of reducing power losses and rolling out smart metering across the state.
The meeting also reviewed progress on several central urban development initiatives, including the Swachh Bharat Mission, AMRUT, Urban Livelihood Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Solid Waste Management. Chief Minister Sukhu requested substantial financial support from the Centre, citing the state’s challenging mountainous terrain. The Union Minister assured all possible assistance.
Chief Minister Sukhu expressed his gratitude to the Union Power minister for his visit, describing it as a promising beginning likely to yield positive results.
Among those present at the meeting were Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal, Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor Ram Subhag Singh, HPSEBL Chairman Sanjay Gupta, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, and Union Joint Secretary (Energy) Shashank Mishra, along with other senior officials from both governments.
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