Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday laid the foundation stone of a 10 MW solar power project at Aghlor in Kutlehar Assembly Constituency of Una district. To be constructed in an area of 19 hectare, this project would be completed within three months and would generate 22.73 million unit power every year thereby generating rupees eight crore as income to the state coffers. This project will also help in reducing 791 tonnes of carbon emission.

The Chief Minister said that this was the second solar power project in Una district after 32 MW Pekhubela projects which was completed within a record time of six months and would generate income of Rs. 20 crore.

He said that despite being a power plus state, Himachal Pradesh purchases electricity from the open market between the months from October to March by spending around Rs. 1500 crore, as the power production in the hydro electric projects minimizes during winters due to receding water level in rivers.

Sukhu said the state government has signed an agreement with the Oil India Company for production of green hydrogen and emphasis was being laid on harnessing solar energy. The government was also encouraging harnessing solar power in the private sector as well and the target had been fixed to harness 200 MW solar energy in one year.
 
He said that the previous BJP government under the Chief Ministership of Jai Ram Thakur plundered the resources of the state while the present government was striving hard to safeguard it. Remarkable decisions had been taken up during the last one and half a year for welfare of the people and these steps had also resulted in earning an additional income of Rs. 2200 crore. The state government had restored OPS to its employees and the women were being provided Rs. 1500 per month. He added that Rs. 18,000 would be provided per annum to women under Indira Gandhi Pyari Behna Sukh Samman Nidhi Yojana.

nominated him in the FIR and raids are being conducted to nab him,” she said.