New hydropower policy: HPCC accuses CM of 'selling' interest of state

Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee (HPCC) president Sukhvinder Singh Sukkhu toady accused Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur of selling the interest of the state and raised questions over new hydropower policy approved by the Cabinet.

"The BJP government has started selling the interests of the state in just four months and the new hydropower policy tantamount to playing with natural resources of the state, he said in a statement issued here today.

Alleging that the government wants to "oblige its favourite power developers" by refunding the upfront money, he said it appears there was a move to handover the precious natural resources by charging meagre 12 per cent royalty.

If new investors are not coming in the hydropower sector and old projects are not being implemented, it did not mean that the natural resources be sold for a song," he said, adding the government should explore other alternatives instead of scrapping upfront premium.

The government must ensure preservation of water resources and conservation and protection of environment, he said.