Hydel projects owe Rs 1,177.89 to electricity board for surveys, detailed reports: Himachal CM Sukhu

Over two dozen hydel power projects owe the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board (HPSEB) ₹1,177.89 crore for surveys, investigations and preparation of detailed project reports (DPRs), Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu informed the Vidhan Sabha during Question Hour today.

Responding to a query by Shahpur MLA Kewal Pathania, Sukhu said the pending amount includes ₹874.69 crore from the Baspa II hydel project alone. “The delay in recovery is mainly due to the lack of consensus on the interest rate to be charged,” he added.

Sukhu said the state government would not compromise on protecting the interests of the state and top lawyers had been engaged to plead Himachal's case in getting its legitimate claims with various power producers settled. "Top lawyers have been engaged to plead Himachal's case for getting back Shanan project which will be heard by the Supreme Court on September 17 and the case for getting pending arrears from the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) will be heard by the apex court on September 10," Sukhu said.

Sukhu said the state government was hoping to get additional income of Rs 250 crore from JSW company after getting a favourable court order for grant of enhanced free power as royalty. "Since Bara Siul hydel project has completed 40 years, the energy department has given notice to the power producer to return the project to the state government and the matter is pending in the High Court," Sukhu said.

The Shahpur MLA raised the issue that many hydel projects were not depositing the lease deed money, which ran into hundreds of crores. He said 12 hydel power projects in his constituency of Shahpur had not renewed their lease deed and were yet to deposit an amount Rs 4.27 crore.