CM Reiterates Demand for Higher Royalty in Central Hydro Projects, Raises BBMB Dues with Centre
SHIMLA, JUNE 17: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has once again pressed the Centre to enhance Himachal Pradesh's share of free power royalty from Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) hydropower projects, arguing that the state deserves a larger stake for bearing the social and environmental costs of power generation.
During a meeting with Union Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi on Tuesday evening, the Chief Minister sought an increase in the free power royalty beyond the existing 12 per cent in CPSU projects that have already completed their initial 12-year period.
Sukhu also demanded that Himachal Pradesh's free power share in the 180 MW Baira Siul Hydroelectric Project be raised to 50 per cent, pointing out that the project has been operational for the last 44 years.
Raising the long-pending issue of energy arrears from the Bhakra Beas Management Board projects, the Chief Minister said the state had paid a heavy price for the construction of major hydropower projects through displacement of thousands of people and adverse environmental impacts. He noted that the rehabilitation of Pong Dam oustees remains incomplete even decades after the project was commissioned.
Sukhu urged the Centre to secure the consent of Punjab and Haryana for settlement of energy arrears amounting to 13,066 million units as of October 31, 2011, along with six per cent interest thereafter.
According to the state government's calculations, the dues would translate into nearly ₹7,784 crore if paid in monetary terms with compound interest at six per cent till date.
The Chief Minister also reiterated Himachal Pradesh's claim over the historic Shanan Hydroelectric Project and apprised the Union Minister of the state's position regarding its legitimate rights over the project.
Apart from power sector issues, Sukhu sought central financial assistance for the proposed HimChandigarh and Aero City projects in Kangra, aimed at planned urbanisation, tourism promotion, economic growth and attracting investment.
He informed the Union Minister that Himachal Pradesh has proposed projects worth ₹1,179 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund across 24 urban local bodies, of which projects costing ₹660 crore have already been submitted to the Government of India in the first phase.
The Chief Minister also requested the release of ₹12.33 crore under the Clean Hilly and Himalayan Cities Initiative for sanitation and waste management projects, besides seeking the release of the remaining ₹64.45 crore under previously sanctioned AMRUT schemes. He further urged approval of 43 projects proposed under AMRUT Mitra in 14 urban local bodies.
Sukhu also sought central support of ₹18 crore over five years for the second phase of the state's proposed QR-based digital door plate system, which aims to provide a unique identity to every urban property.
Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Principal Adviser to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh and Director Energy Rakesh Prajapati were also present during the meeting.
