MP govt ayes hydel power project policy

Bhopal, Aug 1 (UNI) With the Madhya Pradesh government giving its nod to a hydel power project policy, private companies will be able to set up 25-MW plants in the state.

A cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan here today, also ayed the establishment of an agriculture college and farming research zone at Ganjbasoda tehsil under the aegis of the Jabalpur-based Jawaharlal Nehru Agriculture University.

''Those desirous of either operating in the private sector or setting up joint ventures will be able to establish plants upto a maximum of 25-MW capacity on irrigation projects or rivers,'' Public Works Minister Kailash Vijayvargiya told reporters.

After the government granted approval, the project would have to be compulsorily initiated within a year and completion would have to be ensured within 30 months for 5 MW units, 36 months -- 10 MW and 40 months -- 25 MW.

As many as 116 hectares of government land would be made available for the agri college and Rs 11.48 crore provided from the agriculture department for infrastructure development. An additional Rs 2.50 crore would be provided annually for salaries and allowances.

Besides Vidisha district, the institution would benefit peasants from Raisen, Harda, Betul and Hoshangabad.

The cabinet banned collection of 'saal' seeds for five years from 2007 in view of the loss to business.

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