Shimla: Chief Minister Thakur 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 Union Minister to facilitate their early resolution in the interest of the State.
The transfer of the Shanan Hydropower Project to Himachal Pradesh was another key issue discussed during the meeting. The Chief Minister 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.
He said that as per the assessment of 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. The estimated net annual benefit to Himachal Pradesh would be approximately Rs. 23.21 crore, while the tariff impact on other beneficiary states is expected to remain around 1.15 percent.
The Chief Minister urged that such land be made available to the state government for public use, including construction of government offices and providing land for the rehabilitation and resettlement of people displaced by development projects.
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.
