SHIMLA: Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri today said the water cess issue falls under the state government's jurisdiction and is essential for increasing its revenue.
The Centre was playing politics and was in undue hurry dictating its terms by writing to states over the issue which is under Court's scrutiny, he claimed.
Himachal Pradesh's decision to impose water cess on power companies operating in the state has stirred controversy as the Central Government repeatedly voiced concerns and termed the "decision as illegal and unconstitutional".
Himachal has formed the water cess commission and some companies including HPSEB have started paying water cess.
The state government has justified its move, emphasizing that the imposition of water cess falls under its jurisdiction.
Numerous rivers flow through Himachal Pradesh, with several power projects set up by private companies.
The state government argues that both the water and electricity resources belong to the state, and the power projects are located on its land. Mukesh said.
To bolster revenue, the state established the Water Cess Commission, which recommended the imposition of water cess on these companies.
"Originally, an estimated revenue of Rs 4,000 crore was expected, but following discussions with affected companies, the water cess has been reduced.
As a result, the government now anticipates generating Rs 1,842 crore in revenue", Agnihotri said.
Currently, the state has collected around Rs 28-29 crore in water cess revenue. Himachal Pradesh officials maintain that it is within their rights to impose this cess, citing examples of other states, such as Uttarakhand, that have taken similar measures to boost their revenue.
The state government is committed to upholding its decision to impose the water cess despite opposition from the Central Government.
He said this while responding to the media on the sidelines of the flagging off a new bus service from Shimla to Shri Mata Bhangayani Temple Haripurdhar as part of the "Pratham Darshan Seva" scheme.
This initiative aims to provide bus services to religious places for the general public's convenience and has come as Congress strategy to defeat its rival BJP in its own game.
The Deputy Chief Minister stated that the Himachal Road Transport Corporation is working to offer door-to-door bus services to help people visit religious sites.
The bus will depart from Dhalli at 5:30 am and ISBT Shimla at 6:30 am, reaching Haripurdhar by 1:30 pm.
The Himachal Road Transport Corporation plans to introduce around 100 bus routes under this scheme, covering various pilgrimage sites within and outside Himachal Pradesh.
The goal is to improve bus facilities for both locals and tourists visiting religious places. So far, three routes are operational, and more are planned for the future.
The Deputy Chief Minister also mentioned efforts to revive loss-making bus routes and improve the corporation's financial condition.
He explained that the Central Government's objections to this decision were inappropriate.
The Deputy Chief Minister provided an update on the health of Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu, who is recovering at AIIMS in Delhi, assuring that his health is improving, and he will return to Himachal soon.
