No power project to NTPC in HP in future, says CM

Shimla, Sep 21 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) will not be offered any hydel project in the state following its petition in the Supreme Court opposing the state government's decision to release 15 per cent water downstream from its hydel project.

''The state government will strictly enforce releasing of 15 per cent water downstreams from all hydel projects being set up on the river waters in the state,'' he said while talking to reporters here.

Mr Singh said his government would go to any extent to make NTPC follow the state government's decision, adding this was necessary to safeguard the state's ecology.

The NTPC would not be offered any hydel project in future in Himachal if it was not concerned for preserving its ecology, he said.

Terming the Corporation's decision to approach the apex court on the issue, a serious matter, he said it must have sought the Union Power Ministry's permission to do so.

The Chief Minister said his government was committed for preserving the state's environment and added that the drying up of the Mandi River in the state was a clear proof of fidgeting with the environment.

He said the marine life in the rivers of the state would be affected if 15 per cent water from the hydel projects was not released in the river.

The government would not allow its land to go barren in the name of setting up of hydel projects in the state, he said.

Mr Singh said a land mafia was operating in the industrial town of Baddi in Solan district and it was examining 5,000 land deals in the area that had caused a loss of Rs 1,500 crore to the government. People were selling their land on power of attorney to industrialists in the area and not paying any revenue to the state government, he said.

Replying to a question on Cabinet expansion in the state, he said no expansion was on the cards, while refusing to comment on the reappointment of the chief parliamentary secretaries and parliamentary secretaries in the state.

UNI