Will address concerns of people affected by hydro projects: Sukhvinder Sukhu

Shimla, August 9

A delegation of people affected by Luhri and Sunni hydro projects, led by former MLA Rakesh Singha, called on Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu here today and apprised him of their various demands.

The Chief Minister assured full cooperation to address their concerns and said their demands would be considered sympathetically. He said during the previous BJP government, the interests of the people of the state were neglected, but the current government would take every measure to get the due rights of the state back.

He said if the SJVNL company would not agree on the royalty percentage sought by the government, the state would acquire 210-MW Luhri Hydro Project stage-I, 66-MW Dhaulasidh Power Project and 382-MW Sunni Power Project to save the interests of the state. Interacting with the media, the CM said the Jal Shakti Department would charge Rs 100 per connection in rural areas from families who have income more than Rs 50,000 and the decision would not have any impact on the poor. The government has exempted widows, ekal naris, handicapped, BPL families, orphans, etc. He said commercial establishments would be charged as per their water consumption.

Responding to another question, the CM said during the ongoing monsoon season, the state had suffered a cumulative loss of Rs 900 crore. He said the state had not received any funds from the Central Government to assist the affected families. — TNS