HP to have equity participation in all hydel projects: CM

Shimla, Nov 11 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said his government will seek equity participation in all major hydel projects that will be set up in the state.

Addressing people after inaugurating Lavi Fair at Rampur Bushehar in Shimla district, he said 25 per cent equity participation in 1,500 MW Nathpa Jhakri Power Project was the beginning of state's equity in major hydel projects and would be extended to other hydel projects that were likely to be executed in future.

Mr Singh said the Union Government has also agreed in principal to execute more such projects in joint venture with Himachal, adding that equity participation could go as high as 49 per cent.

The state government has sought 30 per cent equity participation in 412 MW Rampur hydel project besides 12 per cent free power from the project, he said.

He said the Centre was likely to have a positive response to state government's demand for 25 per cent equity participation in 2,051 MW Parbati and 800 MW Kol Dam Hydro Projects.

The Satluj River had 9,722 MW of identified hydel potential which was almost half of the total identified potential of the state, he said.

Accusing the previous BJP government of failing to protect the interests of the state while allocating 2,051 MW Parbati project to NHPC and 800 MW Kol Dam project to NTPC, he said the state would suffer a loss of Rs 80,000 crore over a period of time due to this.

He said all hydel projects below three MW would only be allocated to Himachali people besides giving preference to local cooperatives in their allotment.

Several senior state government officials and party functionaries were also present on the occasion.

UNI AS HS RL VC1944