SHIMLA 28th June, 2023
Chairman cum Managing Director, Satluj Jalvidyut Nigam Limited (SJVNL) Nand Lal Sharma, called on Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today to brief and discuss about various hydel projects being implemented by SJVNL in the State.
Expressing his displeasure, Chief Minister said that as SJVNL started the construction work of 210 MW Luhri (Phase-1) , 66 MW Dhaula Sidh and 382 MW Sunni dam without signing an implementation agreement with the state government. He said that despite repeated requests from the state government, SJVNL has not taken any measures with an optimistic approach. For this reason, the state government has issued a notice to SJVNL.
The Chief Minister also said that the state should be provided royalty at the rate of 20, 30 and 40 percent in the hydropower projects of SJVNL. At present, there is a provision to provide royalty at the rate of 12 percent upto 12 years, 18 percent for the next 18 years and 30 percent for the last 10 years. He said that royalty at the rate of 30 percent rate should be given in case of those the projects which have covered the construction cost and have been completed. After 40 years of the projects being operational, they should be transferred to the state government, he said.
The Chief Minister said that the rivers waters in the rivers of the State were priceless assets. These resources were being exploited by hydroelectric projects, but the people of the state have not yet received the desired benefits from it. He also discussed in detail the issue of water cess. Chief Parliamentary Secretary, Sunder Singh Thakur was also present on the occasion.
