The state government today decided to take over the Sunni, Luhri and Dhaulasidh power projects being executed by Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) and take back the Baira Siul and Duggar projects in Chamba district. It sought an enhanced share of free power and return of hydroelectric projects after 40 years.
The Cabinet that met under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukh took the decision to take over the 382 MW Sunni, 210 MW Luhri Stage-I and 66 MW Dhaulasidh power projects being executed by the SJVNL. It also decided to take over the 180 MW Baira Siul located on a tributary of the Ravi and the 500 MW Duggar project on the Chenab in the Pangi area of Chamba district. National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) Ltd is running both projects.
“The Cabinet today decided that the Central Government and the SJVNL be intimated about its decision to take over the Sunni, Luhri and Dhaulasidh projects. An independent evaluator will be appointed to assess the actual expenditure that has been made and how much work has been accomplished on the three projects being executed by the SJVNL,” said Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan while briefing mediapersons after the Cabinet meeting.
The Cabinet also gave nod to the appointment of an Administrator for the takeover of the 180 Baira Siul project. “The Himachal Government has the right to take back all projects, which are 40 years old or more. The Baira Siul project was completed in 1982 and now the government has decided to take it back,” he added.
Chauhan said that the previous BJP government had signed no implementation agreements while allotting these projects. “Himachal’s interests were compromised as it would get only 12 per cent free power while the Congress government is of the firm opinion that the state should get an enhanced power share at the rate of 12 per cent, 18 per cent and 30 per cent and the return of the projects after 40 years,” he added.
The decision does not come as a surprise as the Chief Minister had raised the issue with the Central Government and Union Power Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on several occasions. In fact, a deadline of January 15 was set for resolving the dispute over enhanced free power share in the Sunni, Luhri and Dhaulasidh projects allotted to the SJVN by the previous BJP government.
