Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has urged the Centre to increase the free-power royalty share beyond 12 per cent, over and above the normal royalty in all Central Public Sector Undertaking (CPSU) hydropower projects where the critical initial period of 12 years has been completed.
The Chief Minister called on Union Minister for Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi late on Tuesday evening. He requested the Centre to increase the free-power share to 50 per cent in the 180 MW Baira Siul Hydroelectric Project, which has completed 44 years since its commissioning.
Sukhu also raised the issue of the inordinate delay in the payment of energy arrears due to the state from projects under the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).
“People of Himachal Pradesh faced hardships when these projects were executed. Thousands were displaced, the state suffered adverse environmental impacts, and despite all this, the settlement of Pong Dam oustees is still far from complete,” he said.
The Chief Minister requested that Haryana and Punjab give their consent for the release of energy arrears amounting to 13,066 million units (MU) as on October 31, 2011, along with 6 per cent interest thereafter. He added that if the arrears were to be paid in monetary terms, the tentative amount would be Rs 7,784 crore, calculated with compound interest at the rate of 6 per cent up to the present date.
He also raised the issue of the Shanan Hydroelectric Project and Himachal Pradesh’s legitimate claim over it.
Sukhu sought financial assistance for the development of HimChandigarh and AeroCity at Kangra, projects aimed at planned urbanisation, economic growth, tourism promotion and investment generation in the state.
He informed the Union Minister that the state is proposing projects worth Rs 1,179 crore under the Urban Challenge Fund across 24 urban local bodies (ULBs). Projects worth Rs 660 crore have already been submitted to the Government of India in the first phase, he added.
The CM also urged the release of Rs 12.33 crore under the Clean Hilly and Himalayan Cities Initiative for the timely implementation of sanitation and waste management interventions. He further requested the release of the balance amount of Rs 64.45 crore for previously sanctioned projects under the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
Sukhu also sought approval for 43 projects in 14 ULBs under the AMRUT Mitra scheme that have been submitted to the Centre for consideration.
The Chief Minister informed the Union Minister that the state is in the process of implementing a QR code-based digital door plate system across urban local bodies to provide a unique identity to properties. He sought financial assistance of Rs 18 crore over a period of five years to facilitate the implementation of the second phase of the project.
