To improve the economic condition nd increase the economic sources of the state, the government has decided to impose water cess on different hydro projects . 172 hydropower projects will come under its ambit. It will not have any effect on the people of the state.
According to the official spokesperson, water cess has been imposed on hydropower projects not only in Himachal Pradesh but also in the neighboring state of Uttarakhand and Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir.
The spokesman said that the State Government has taken several steps to increase its revenue and the implementation of water cess is one such measure. Its main objective is to increase the economic resources of the state and increase the revenue by strengthening the economy of the state, so that sufficient funds can be available with the government for public welfare policies.
The government will recover the amount of water cess from hydropower projects keeping in mind various aspects including the size of the project. He said that Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Ordinance has been implemented by the state government from March 10, 2023 and Himachal Pradesh Water Cess on Hydropower Generation Bill 2023 will also be brought in the upcoming assembly session, for which the state cabinet has given its approval.