Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the state government was contemplating to make changes in Hydel Power Policy. He said this while presiding over the meeting of hydro Power developers and producers on Friday and also assured the power producers in Himachal Pradesh (HP) that all their grievances would be redressed and resolved on priority as per the suggestions.
The Hydel generation was not only the backbone of the economy, but also helps in generating employment, he said. “Though in the past there was a little progress in Hydel generation sector but as of now it seems that the process has come to a halt for quite some time. Till the time we won’t resolve the petty issues of the Small Hydel power producers, it will be difficult for the state to tap the potential of around 3000 MW as identified by these power producers,” he said.
As of now out of total 27,400 Mega watts (MW) of identified Hydel potential in the state, just 10,519 MW has been generated.”What we can do at our level we will definitely take effective measures to resolve the long pending issues,” said the CM.
The government would ensure that in the first stage the clearances should be given without delay, most probably within one month by all concerned, he said. Secondly, construction stage issues pertaining to tariff were to be resolved and in the third stage the post commissioning issues as deliberated upon can be taken up, he said, adding that the tariff issue can be discussed with regulator and the tariff applicability from the date of commercial commissioning can be explored.
The No Objection Certificates (NoC) with regard to Forest Clearance, Irrigation and Public Health (IPH) department and other line departments will be speeded up said the CM. Himalaya Power Producer Association (HPPA), president Arun Kumar and president Bona-fide Himachal Power Developers Association (BHPDA) Rajesh Sharma along with Chief Patron, BHPDA RK Verma placed genuine problems being faced and pending upon since last 10 years.