Unions affecting devp of hydropower projects: HP CM

DHARAMSHALA : Stressing on the need to create conducive atmosphere to attract investors in power sector, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday said trade unions were hindering hydro-power projects in Himachal Pradesh.

In a statement during Question Hour, Thakur said, “State has the potential of generating 27,000 MW hydel power and government intends to tap 2,30,000 MW power which can be harnessed practically.” He said of 4,50,000 MW hydro power being generated in the country, state contributes 10,500 MW.

“There is a need to change the atmosphere to attract investors so that maximum potential can be tapped and cooperation of all members and people of the state is needed,” he said.

He added that though technical hindrances are separate and can be removed by following due procedure, social hurdles can be removed by working together.

The chief minister said, “Whenever work starts on a power project, trade unions tend to create atmosphere of fear and raise unjust demands.” “Investors don’t want to come to Himachal due to this kind of atmosphere,” he claimed.

Participating in the discussion CPI (M) legislator Rakesh Singha said the unions will not protest if government ensure proper implementation of the law. The CM said the state government will look into the matter.

Earlier, replying to a question by Kinnaur legislator Jagat Singh Negi, power minister Anil Sharma said till date 36 small hydro-power projects of aggregate 95 MW capacity have been allocated in Kinnaur district, of which only seven projects of 31.09 MW have been commissioned. Sharma said in other districts, 707 projects of aggregate capacity of 1,629.34 megawatt have been allocated, of which 76 projects of 284 MW have been commissioned. He, however, added that several issues were hurdling these projects, prominent being withdrawal of No-Objection Certificates by panchayat.

To the supplementary question raised by Negi, Sharma said projects were being issued notice for delay but can’t be cancelled as there is no strong reason to do so.

Kullu MLA Sunder Singh Thakur said local administration doesn’t cooperate in execution of the project and that district-level coordination committees should be formed to speed-up these projects. Legislator Rakesh Singha said small power projects face problem of transmission and evacuation of power.

“There should be a clause related to transmission of power in the DPR and power purchase agreement should l also be mentioned,” he said. Sharma said government will hold meetings to resolve issues raised.

Whenever work starts on a power project, trade unions tend to create atmosphere of fear and raise unjust demands. Investors don’t want to come to Himachal due to this kind of atmosphere.

JAI RAM THAKUR, Himachal Pradesh chief minister