SHIMLA: Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has sought an increase to 15 per cent from 12 per percent in all Central power projects including the 210 MW Luhri project of SJVN. He demands Centre should direct BBMB to release all of arrears in power projects as directed by Supreme Court.
Sukhu reiterated Himachal Pradesh’s demands in a meeting with Union Minister of Power, New and Renewable Energy, R.K Singh on Wednesday evening.
Chief Minister urged Union Minister to take steps for signing of a fresh agreement with SJVN for enhancing Himachal’s share in the 210 MW Luhri project.
But will the BJP-led Centre take a call on all the pending and fresh demands raised by Chief Minister when Congress leaders and BJP leaders are training their guns at one another inside and outside Parliament in view of the coming 2024 Lok Sabha elections?
The previous Jai Ram Thakur's BJP government did not raise the issue of BBMB arrears with the BJP-Led Modi government.
Both Punjab and Haryana have adopted a tough stand on the issue of Himachal's arrears on the grounds that their economy is in bad shape, and cared two hoots to pay not even a penny of arrears.
The successive state governments have failed to get the arrears and Himachal’s share of 12 per cent in power projects even after 25 years.
Will the recalcitrant Centre and BBMB and Punjab state electricity board accept the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh’s fresh demand of increasing its share to 15 per cent, whereas they are not willing to pay even 12 percent?
Sukhu urged the Union Minister to enhance the State's share in the power projects to 15 percent. These projects were commissioned 25 years ago and have completed their loan repayments.
Sukhu informed RK Singh that Himachal has an untapped 12000 MW hydro power potential.
Hydro power drives economic growth, makes a direct and significant contribution to economy by generation, employment opportunities and enhances quality of life, he said.
State Government has now relaxed the rules and procedures for the investors. Deputy Commissioners have been empowered to accord permission in a time bound manner in energy sector.
Chief Minister said that Government is mulling proposals to make agreements with power project in stages.
“The first part will be for the period of loan repayment”. The second part will be after the loan repayment is over on part of the power project.
Chief Minister said the Supreme Court has given verdict in Himachal's favour on payment of arrears and its share in projects of Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
He said that BBMB should be directed to pay the arrears to the State Government immediately.
But Sukhu did not specify the amount of arrears in official release issue to media here in this connection.
He also told RK Singh that the lease period of Shanan project in Jogindernagar was now over. The State Government will take it over for further execution soon, he asserted.
Sukhu said the Union Minister has assured that Green Energy Plant would be set up in Spiti area on the analogy of Leh. The project should be fastracked.
Sukhu further said the government is setting the e-charging stations for electric vehicles in the state so that the target of becoming Green Energy State by 2025 could be achieved. The state government will provide land and power for the purpose, he said.
As far as evacuation of power is concerned, the transmission line will be set up in the region, he claimed.
The state is looking forward for the generation of green hydrogen adding that the Himachal Pradesh is the only state which is power surplus state.
State will execute the power project on revenue sharing basis, Sukhu said.
Present in meeting were Chief Parliamentary Secretaries Sunder Singh Thakur, Sanjay Awasthi, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Bharat Khera, Resident Commissioner, Meera Mohanty and Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister Vivek Bhatia.
