An aggressive Opposition on Tuesday cornered the government on the issue of amendments made in the power policy, which, they said, amounted to surrendering before the power producers lobby and virtually selling out the state’s interest.
The resolution for discussing the amendments made in the State Power Policy was moved by Mukesh Agnihotri and Harshwardhan Chauhan under Rule 63 in the Vidhan Sabha. The Congress legislators raised slogans, demanding review of the amendments and finally staged a walkout even before Power Minister Anil Sharma gave his reply.
The minister countered Congress allegations by stating that there were no takers for 37 power projects as the market was very grim. “The power rates which were above Rs 7 had dipped to a mere Rs 3.53 per unit as there are no buyers,” he said. He added that he had never supported a wrong cause be it in the previous regime or now.
“I want to ask Congress where was their concern when their own governments rolled out concessions for investors in Chenab basin and reduced upfront premium from Rs 20 lakh to Rs 1 lakh per MW. This alone reduced the money we would have got for nine projects from almost Rs 27 crore to a mere 1.55 crore,” he said. He said the government was open to suggestions but not when the intention is to get political mileage and grab headlines. “The manner in which the government in a hush-hush manner decided not to defer 12 per cent royalty and free power from producers clearly raises doubts and questions as to whose interest is being protected,” Agnihotri said. He added that this move will hit the economy very badly as power is the main revenue generating sector.
He even expressed concern over the damage to environment as no clearances would be required for projects below 25 MW. “The decision is clearly harming the interest of the state as benefit cannot be given retrospectively,” he said.
He added that the move of the government would undo the efforts made by Shanta Kumar, Virbhadra Singh and PK Dhumal in fighting for Himachal’s share.
Harshwardhan Chauhan said the deferment for payment of 12 per cent royalty and free power from the 737 allotted projects and 300 others, yet to be allotted would amount to loss of Rs 867 crore annually and Rs 10,400 crores in 12 years. “Can a cash-strapped state like Himachal afford to surrender such huge income just to woo investors. The Government could have given incentives by reducing the 12 per cent royalty to a little less but not giving it up completely,” he remarked.
Chauhan credited former Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh for his farsightedness in seeking 25 per cent equity in the Nathpa Jhakri project, which had not been done either in Parbati and Kol dams. “I urge the government to review its decision as it will have far-reaching consequences for the fiscal health of the state,” he said.
Sukhiwnder Sukhu also lashed out at the Government of selling out the state’s interest to benefit investors.