HP changes hydel projects bidding policy

Now a hybrid policy will be followed under which projects will be allotted on the basis of free power based bidding along with an upfront premium of Rs 20 lakh per Mw. This replaces the earlier policy, which was solely based on upfront premium.

This decision was taken by the cabinet under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal here late Wednesday.

In another significant decision connected with the hydel sector, the cabinet granted permission for signing the memorandum of understanding for the 775 Mw Luhri-hydro-electric project with the Satlej Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) on 51:49 ratio equity participation.

The project is to come up on the Sutlej river in tribal Kinnaur district.

The cabinet gave permission to change the location of the multi-project Special Economic Zone in Kangra district's Damtal to Milwan.

It also decided to give its nod to NMDC to sell limestone to Gujarat Ambuja Cements Ltd to manufacture clinker cement.

Permission was granted to the long pending Mapex India Pvt Ltd to set up its sugarcane-based unit in Una district by December this year.

The cabinet sanctioned 6,080 posts in different departments which include 4,568 posts of trained graduate teachers in the elementary education department alone.