Nod for 225 Mw plant as per norms: U'khand govt

Denying allegations of "irregularities, corruption or undue favour" to Sravanthi Energy while approving a 225 Mw gas-based power plant at Kashipur area, Uttarakhand government today said the sanction was given as per the norms.

Reacting to allegations by senior Congress leaders Harak Singh Rawat and Kishor Upadhyay  yesterday, Uttarakhand Chief Secretary Subhash Kumar told reporters here that the state government neither alloted its land to Sravanthi Energy nor helped it in getting the land in any way.

"The company directly purchased 36.9 acreas of land at Kashipur after getting clearance from the Union Ministry of forests and environment for the gas-based project in 2009," Kumar said.

He also dismissed the reports that Sravanthi Energy was given exemption in stamp duty and said the company paid full amount for registry of land.

Regarding change in land use pattern from agriculture to industrial, Kumar said it was also done as per the norms on the basis of the recommendations of Udhamsingh Nagar District Magistrate.

While stating that the role of state government is very limited in giving sanction to the project, Power Secretary Umakant Panwar said as per the section-7 of Electricity Act- 2003 no license, no NOC or Detailed Project Report (DPR) was required for setting up a power plant.