Himachal to invite bids for mini-hydropower projects

The Himachal Pradesh state cabinet has decided to advertise 54 small and mini Himachal Pradesh Energy Development Agency-Himurja identified hydropower projects with a combined generating capacity of 132 Mw.

It adopted a revised criteria for evaluation of small hydro projects of 1-Mw to 5-Mw capacity.

The Cabinet decided to grant extension in time period of Implementation Agreement to 33 small projects and extension in completion period to 23 others as one time measure for small hydro electric projects.

It decided to allot 15 self-identified mini and micro projects of below 3-Mw capacity to different eligible entrepreneurs to generate 12.71-Mw power.

In another decision it approved enhancement in the authorised share capital of Himachal Pradesh Power Corporation Ltd from the existing Rs 370 crore to Rs 400 crore.

It accepted the proposal to recommend release of margin money by NCDC, New Delhi amounting to Rs 20 crore to the state-run Himfed through the Himachal government and another Rs 2 crore to the Lahaul Potato Growers’ Cooperative Marketing and Processing Society Ltd, Kullu.

It approved amendment in Fisheries rule 1979 to facilitate anglers with option of annual licence fee or daily fee, in different lakes and rivers of the hill state.