CM Sukhu meets Manohar Lal, discusses key issues

Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Minister for Power and Housing & Urban Affairs Manohar Lal in New Delhi on Tuesday and discussed several important pending issues concerning Himachal Pradesh’s power sector. He urged the minister to facilitate their early resolution in the interest of the State.

The Chief Minister strongly raised the issue of providing Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) against Himachal Pradesh’s free power entitlement. He said the State should receive due benefits against its free power share and sought necessary clarification and an early resolution in the matter.

He also raised the issue of nominating two Independent Directors from Himachal Pradesh on the Board of Directors of Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) and urged that the process be completed at the earliest, keeping the interests of the State in view. The transfer of the Shanan Hydropower Project to Himachal Pradesh was another key issue discussed during the meeting. The CM said necessary action should be taken keeping in view Himachal Pradesh’s rights over the project and the interests of the State. The matter is presently sub judice.

The Chief Minister reiterated the State’s demand for providing one per cent additional free power after commissioning as Local Area Development Fund (LADF) for Central Sector hydropower projects commissioned prior to the Hydropower Policy, 2008.

He said that as per the assessment of the State Government, the proposed arrangement is expected to provide Himachal Pradesh a gross annual benefit of approximately Rs 29.34 crore, while the estimated annual burden on other beneficiary states would be around Rs 96.57 crore. He further raised the issue of land acquired by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) in Himachal Pradesh that is presently not being utilised.

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal assured him of positive consideration of matters concerning Himachal Pradesh’s power interests. He also assured that necessary directions would be issued to the concerned officials and that all possible cooperation would be extended for the early resolution of the pending issues.

Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Secretary (Finance) Devesh Kumar and Secretary to the Chief Minister Rakesh Kanwar were also present in the meeting.