Virbhadra raises Himachal's equity issue in power projects

Chandigarh, Sep 28 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today raised the issue of state's equity participation in power projects being executed by Central Public Undertakings (CPUs) at the Chief Ministers' Conclave -- North Indian Commmon Economy (NICE) here.

''This matter needs to be resolved at the earliest,'' he said while addressing the conclave.

Mr Singh stressed upon the state's demand for 30 per cent equity participation in various ongoing as well as future projects being implemented by CPUs like NHPC and NTPC and added that Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, during his visit to Himachal Pradesh in May 2005, had also agreed that such a measure would immensely benefit the state.

He said out of 21,000 mw hydro power potential in the hill state, 6,067 mw had been harnessed so far while 7,025 mw potential is under execution by the central public sector undertakings like NHPC, NTPC, joint venture partners like SJVNL and independent power producers.

The Chief Minister said the state has already finalised a liberal hydro-power policy, as a result of which, the Government has floated global tenders for 5,617 mw hydro potential which will be executed by the private sector.

Also, 750 mw hydro potential is under execution by the independent power producers through HIMURJA. The balance 1,541 mw will be executed by the joint venture companies both in the Government and private sectors, he added.

Mr Virbhadra Singh said the hydro power policy ensured protection of Himalayan ecology and environment and it had made it mandatory to ensure minimum flow of 15 per cent water downstream during the lean season to protect the water rights of the people and also preserve the aquatic life, vegetation and wild life habitat.

But some of the CPUs had taken the matter to the court and the the state government did not appreciate this stance, he said.

Mr Singh also raised the issue of completion of the Chandigarh-Siswan-Baddi Road and the construction of Baddi-Chandigarh Road, which are critical for the long-term success of the industrial activity in the state.

He urged the chief ministers of Punjab and Haryana to help get these two road-links functional as stretches of these roads fall in the two states.

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