Himachal Pradesh is ready to take back Luhri, Sunni and Dhaulasidh projects if SJVN does not take action
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has sent a strong message to the Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Limited (SJVN) saying that the state government is ready to take over three major hydropower projects if the company does not follow the state’s energy policy. The chief minister gave this ultimatum during a meeting with Union Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal in Shimla.
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At the heart of the issue is the state’s energy policy, which mandates a royalty structure of 12% for the first 12 years of a project, 18% for the next 18 years and 30% for the next 10 years. While private companies operating in Himachal Pradesh follow this policy, CM Sukhu insisted that central public sector undertakings (PSUs) like SJVN should also follow the same guidelines.
The Chief Minister said, “If SJVN is not willing to align with our energy policy, the Himachal Pradesh government is ready to withdraw the 210 MW Luhri Stage-1, 382 MW Sunni and 66 MW Dhaulasidh hydropower projects.” He assured that the state is ready to reimburse the expenditure incurred by SJVN so far on these projects. Further, he pointed out that SJVN has started construction on these projects without signing the implementation agreement, making it imperative that Himachal Pradesh gets its fair share of benefits from its water resources.
Union Minister Manohar Lal acknowledged the concerns raised by the Chief Minister and directed SJVN to give a final response on the matter by January 15, 2025.
Pressure for withdrawal of Shanan Power Project; Outstanding power dues from BBMB
Apart from the dispute over the royalty structure, CM Sukhu also pressed for the return of the 110 MW Shanan Power Project, currently under the control of Punjab, to Himachal Pradesh. He argued that Punjab’s lease on the project had expired and asserted that the area where the Shanan project is located was never a part of the erstwhile Punjab. As a result, the Punjab Reorganisation Act of 1966 does not apply, and the project should be returned to Himachal Pradesh along with its assets.
The Chief Minister also highlighted another important concern: the long-pending issue of 13,066 million unit power dues payable to Himachal Pradesh by the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) for the period between November 1996 and October 2011. Despite the Supreme Court’s verdict in favour of the state, these dues have not yet been settled. CM Sukhu urged the Central government to ensure that Himachal Pradesh gets its fair share.
In response, Union Minister Manohar Lal assured that he will call a joint meeting of all stakeholder states to resolve the issue and move towards a consensus.
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