Government to seek legal opinion to take over power projects operating without set timelines: CM
- Presides over International Dam Safety Conference
- SHIMLA -20 March, 2025Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while presiding over the International conference on Dam Safety here today said that due to the immense hydel power potential, Himachal was becoming the focal point in hydel renewable energy sector globally. The conference would continue till 22nd March, 2025.
He said that the river waters were the main source of power generation in the state however, during the initial years, there was no timeline set for licenses issued to the power generation companies, which is normally 35 to 40 years and because of this, the state suffered substantive losses. There are still many such power projects wherein no timelines has been fixed to handover the projects to the state government, adding that the government was fighting legal battle to take back these projects and legal opinion being sought in this regard. He said that if need arises, all such projects in which the interest of the state government have been completely ignored would be taken over by the government in near future.
Sh. Sukhu said that the people of Himachal Pradesh has immensely contributed in paving way for setting-up many hydel power projects in National interest and for the development of the Nation and many were displaced during the construction of Bhakra Dam and Pong Dam, who were still fighting for their settlement rights. He assured that the present state government would take every possible measure to address the grievances of such families affected due to the construction of these Dams.
The Chief Minister said that it was very unfortunate that the people of Himachal Pradesh had to approach the Apex Court to get their share in electricity sector.
He said that on one hand where ample water in the reservoirs lead to prosperity, whereas during the rainy seasons the dam waters, when released, bring hardship to the people living downstream, adding that there was a need to give added attention to such issues besides ensuring security of dams. Since the people of the state have already bore the brunt of nature's fury in 2023, we have to prepare ourselves much in advance to mitigate such calamities. As the incidents of cloudburst have increased recently in Himachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister directed the dam authorities to alert the people well in time living downstream of the catchment areas of the projects before releasing the excess water.
Sh. Sukhu emphasized the need for quality in the construction of dams as well as its regular maintenance to ensure their life and safety. He said that climate change and few other reasons were posing new challenges for dam safety in the Himalayan region and we should adopt a multi-dimensional approach to mitigate these challenges. He said that the government has implemented Dam Safety Act for surveillance, inspection, operation and maintenance of dams for which Dam Safety Committee has also been constituted. This committee would look after the maintenance and safety of all the dams in the state.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Chairman of HP Power Regulatory Commission D.K Sharma and senior officials were present on the occasion.
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Government to protect farmers from displacement at any cost : Chief Minister
SHIMLA -20 March, 2025-Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu who met the delegation of Himachal Pradesh Kisan Sabha at Chowra Maidan here today assured to consider their demands sympathetically. Former MLA Rakesh Singha submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister on behalf of Kisan Sabha.
He said that ensuring the welfare of farmers and orchardists was the priority of the present state government and would not be displaced under any circumstance. Provision of Agriculture Loan Interest Subvention Scheme has been made in the budget, under which the land of the farmers will be saved from being auctioned. Under this scheme, the state government will bring a one-time settlement policy through banks to repay agricultural loan of three lakh rupees, under which the state government will pay 50 percent of the interest on the principal amount and Rs 50 crore will be spent on this scheme.
Shri Sukhu said that he was well aware of the problems of the farmers and every effort would be made to solve their grievances.
Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, Education Minister Rohit Thakur and Technical Education Minister Rajesh Dharmani were also present on this occasion.
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SHIMLA 20 March, 2025
CM calls on Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu called on Union Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitharaman at New Delhi today.
He requested the Finance Minister to review the limit imposed by the Department of Expenditure on Himachal Pradesh for availing external assistance and urged to restore the position as it has adversely affected the financial position of the state and many projects are stalled.
He further requested to consider funding of a reconstruction and rehabilitation proposal from HP for multilateral funding from the World Bank under a new window, which is over and above the ceiling imposed by the Ministry.
Chief Minister raised the issue of reducing Revenue Deficit Grants. He said that state government has taken many steps for additional resource mobilization however these are insufficient to meet the budgetary obligations for financial year 2025-26. He requested to allow the state an additional borrowing of 2 percent of the GSDP for 2025-26.
Chief Minister also raised the issue of requirement of additional resources for creating infrastructure due to high cost construction due to tough topographical and weather conditions.
Smt Nirmala Sitharaman assured of sympathetic consideration of the demands as placed by the Chief Minister.
Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Advisor to CM Ram Subhag Singh, Resident Commissioner Smt Meera Mohanty also accompanied the Chief Minister.