Jhajjar thermal plant to be Haryana's lifeline: Hooda

Chandigarh, Sep 26 (UNI) Haryana Chief Minister Bhupinder Singh Hooda today said the proposed 1500 MW Thermal Power Plant Project at Jhadali in district Jhajjar would prove a life line for the people of Haryana.

UPA President Sonia Gandhi would lay the foundation stone of the mega project on October 7.

Addressing the party workers at his residence here today, Mr Hooda said the state government had fixed the target of generating 5000 MW electricity during two and half years which would be more than three times in comparison to the last 40 years.

Pointing out that at present only 1587 MW electricity was being generated in the state, Mr Hooda said the present power problem in the state was caused by previous governments.

He said the first unit of 300 MW Deenbandhu Thermal Power Plant at Yamunanagar would be commissioned on November 1.

Referring to Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) supremo Om Prakash Chautala's allegations that the state government was anti-farmer, Mr Hooda said he was trying to mislead the people.

He said the state government had given relief to the farmers by waiving off their electricity bills and interest on loans of Cooperative institutions.

Mr Hooda said in another farmer-friendly decision, the government decided to give royalty of Rs 10,000 per acre annually for 33 years to those whose land had either been acquired by the Haryana Urban Development Authority (HUDA) or Haryana State Industrial and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HSIIDC) including one time cash award.

UNI