Himachal simplifies hydro project clearances

The Himachal Pradesh government has simplified the project clearance process to speed up completion of the hydropower projects in the state, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said Saturday.

"We have decided that the producers would not be required to take no objection certificates from the state irrigation and public health department, the public works, the revenue and the fisheries for setting up hydro projects," he said.

Addressing members of the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Ltd Power Engineers Association at Sundernagar town in Mandi district, he said this was done to invite more investment in the state.

The chief minister said the government has approved a Rs.1,464 crore restructuring plan of the electricity board.

To promote private investment in the hydropower sector, he said five projects were allotted to the private bidders.

The chief minister said the state was not getting its due share from the BBMB (Bhakra Beas Management Board), a major power producer in the state distributing power to other states.

The BBMB has been withholding the share of the state despite the fact that the state has won the case pertaining to its share in the Supreme Court, he said.

Official sources said the state is claiming a whopping Rs.4,250 crore in arrears due on Punjab and Haryana for the BBMB's three hydro projects located in the hill state while a counter claim of Rs.1,611.88 crore has come from the two states.

Himachal Pradesh's hydro potential is 27,432 MW, out of this 8,432 MW has been harnessed.