HP to harness 21,000 MW identified hydel power, says CM

Shimla, Oct 7 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said the entire process of allocation of hydel projects to harness 21,000 MW of identified hydel power will be completed in the next three months.

Speaking at the annual function of Himachal Social Bodies Federation at New Delhi, he said the state was already harnessing 6,000 MW of power, while work on 5,500 MW projects would be completed within the next two years.

Mr Singh said his government has received offers from several multi-national companies (MNCs) for the execution of 10,000 MW of hydel projects in the state after it invited tenders for the projects.

He said people and companies from the state would be given preference while allocating the hydroelectric projects.

Hydel projects up to two MWs would only be awarded to bonafide Himachalis, besides being given preference for the execution of five MW hydel projects, he said.

The Chief Minister said preference would also be given to Himachali people in executing hydel projects above five MW but that would not be at the cost of quality, which would be accorded top priority.

Requesting Non Resident Himachalis to set up industrial units in the state, he said the state government would provide all facilities to those groups willing to set up units in the state.

Mr Singh said the state government had attracted investment proposal of over Rs 24,000 crore during the last three and a half years.

The extension of central industrial package by another three years up to March 31, 2010, would bring more investments into the state, he said.

He also called upon industrialists to set up units in the interior parts of the state rather than clustering around the border of the neighbouring states of Punjab and Haryana.

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