Policy change for exploiting Himalayas' power potential

Indore, Jan 17 (UNI) Union Power Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde today said that the Centre is on the verge of effecting a policy change for exploiting hydroelectric power generation potential in the Himalayan region.

''Almost every Indian state has a shortage and the 11th Five-Year Plan will envisage enhancing the generating capacity by 60,000 MW,'' he said while addressing a meeting attended by farmers and dalits in this district's Sanwer.

Mr Shinde touched upon the ''problems'' being faced by Madhya Pradesh's peasants due to a power ''crisis.'' Among those present were Guna MP Jyotiraditya Scindia and Congress state President Subhash Yadav.

''To combat paucity of funds in states' undertakings, financial assistance will be provided from the Rural Electrification Board and the Power Finance Corporation. A 4,000-MW plant is coming up at Susaan,'' the minister said.

Pointing out that the states were presenting 2,000-MW project proposals while they were told to prepare 4,000-MW projects, he alleged that Madhya Pradesh's ryots were receiving inflated bills but no electricity.

''Of the Centre's fertiliser allotment of 1.5 lakh tonnes, 70,000 tonnes were distributed while the rest was blackmarketed by Bharatiya Janata Party leaders. The Centre's United Progressive Alliance government is about to dole out loans at 7 per cent interest to cultivators,'' said Mr Scindia.

UNI