Follow higher royalty policy or lose 3 projects, SJVNL told

The Central Government has fixed the deadline of January 15, 2025, for Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (SJVNL) to comply with the state’s energy policy of higher royalty. If it still fails to follow the order, the state government will take over the 210 MW Luhri Phase-1, 382 MW Sunni and the 66 MW Dhaulasidh hydropower projects.

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu gave an indication to this effect after a meeting with Union Power, Housing and Urban Affairs Minister Manohar Lal Khattar here today. Khattar had directed SJVNL officials to furnish the final response by January 15, 2025. Sukhu had in no uncertain terms said that Himachal would not hesitate to take back these projects if the SJVNL did not agree to provide higher free power as royalty.

Private companies complying: Sukhu

• The state government has been raising the issue that Himachal Pradesh should get royalty in form of free power aligned with its energy policy, which mandates 12 per cent royalty for the first 12 years, 18 per cent for the subsequent 18 years and 30 per cent for the next 10 years from the projects
• When private companies are complying with the energy policy, the Central PSUs should also follow it, says the Chief Minister
• If the SJVNL is unwilling to comply with the policy, the government is ready to take over the Luhri Phase-1, Sunni and Dhaulasidh hydropower projects, says Sukhu

Sukhu said, “We have been raising the issue that Himachal should get royalty in form of free power aligned with the state government’s energy policy, which mandates 12 per cent royalty for the first 12 years, 18 per cent for the subsequent 18 years and 30 per cent for the next 10 years from the projects.” He added that when private companies were complying with the policy, the Central PSUs should also follow it.

He said, “If the SJVNL is unwilling to comply with the state’s energy policy, the government is ready to take over the Luhri Phase-1, 382 MW Sunni and Dhaulasidh hydropower projects.” The state government was willing to reimburse to the SJVNL the expenses incurred so far on these projects, he added.

Sukhu said, “The SJVNL commenced the construction of these projects without signing an implementation agreement. I am of the firm view that Himachal should receive its rightful share of water resources.”

The Chief Minister has been saying that the state government will not compromise on the issue of protecting Himachal’s interests. He has been blaming the previous BJP government for its alleged failure to protect the interests of the state and not securing a higher royalty in the power projects being executed by public sector undertakings like the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC), National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) and the SJVNL.