Union Minister Khattar tells SJVNL to respond by Jan 15 on giving Himachal govt royalty from 3 power projects
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Union Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal held a meeting in Shimla on Thursday to discuss various issues of power and housing related to Himachal Pradesh.
At the meeting, the Chief Minister raised the matter of royalty aligned with the state government’s energy policy.
He outlined the policy, which mandates 12 per cent royalty for the first 12 years, 18 per cent for the subsequent 18 years and 30 per cent for the next 10 years in the power projects. He said that private companies were already complying with this policy and emphasised that central PSUs should also follow it as well.
The Chief Minister asserted that if the SJVNL was unwilling to comply with the state’s energy policy, the Himachal Pradesh government was ready to take over the 210 MW Luhri Phase-1, the 382 MW Sunni and the 66 MW Dhaulasidh hydropower projects.
He assured that the state government was willing to reimburse the SJVNL for the expenses incurred so far on these projects. He also pointed out that the SJVNL commenced construction on these projects without signing an implementation agreement. He said that the people of Himachal Pradesh should receive its rightful share from water resources.
In response, the Union Minister directed SJVNL officials to provide a final response by January 15, 2025.
The Chief Minister also sought the Union government’s assistance in securing the return of the 110 MW Shanan Project of Mandi district to Himachal Pradesh from Punjab.
He stated that Punjab’s lease period for the project has ended and urged the Union government to intervene to ensure the project’s transfer to Himachal Pradesh, along with all its assets.
Sukhu said that the area of Shanan Project was never part of the erstwhile Punjab, therefore, Punjab Re-organisation Act of 1966 does not apply. In response, the Union Minister assured him that he would review the Act and take appropriate action accordingly.
The Chief Minister also urged the Union government to direct Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) to release 13,066 million units of outstanding power arrears owed to Himachal Pradesh for the period from November 1996 to October 2011.
He said that despite a Supreme Court ruling in favour of the State, Himachal Pradesh has yet to receive its rightful share from the states concerned. The Union Minister assured that he would convene a joint meeting of the stakeholder states to work toward a consensus on this issue.
During the discussions, the Union Minister directed officials to expedite the implementation of the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS) in Himachal Pradesh, emphasising that it is crucial for the State to ensure smart metering and reduce power losses.
Sukhu and Manohar Lal also reviewed the progress of various urban development schemes funded by the Union Government, including Swachh Bharat Mission, AMRUT, Urban Livelihood Mission, Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana, and Solid Waste Management.
The Chief Minister requested generous financial assistance from the Centre, considering the difficult and tough geographical terrains of Himachal Pradesh.
In response, the Union Minister assured all possible support from the central government.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to the Union Power Minister for visiting the State, describing it as a significant new beginning initiated by Manohar Lal, which is expected to yield positive outcomes.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Union Power Secretary Pankaj Agarwal, Chief Minister’s Principal Adviser Ram Subhag Singh, HPSEBL Chairman Sanjay Gupta, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Chief Minister’s Secretary Rakesh Kanwar, Union Joint Secretary (Energy) Shashank Mishra and other senior officers of the state government were also present in the meeting.
