Will file revision petition in HC to take over Luhri, Dhaula-Sidh power projects: Sukhu

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh today said that the state government would not compromise with the legitimate rights of Himachal Pradesh at any cost.

Sukhu, while speaking at a function of the HP High Court Bar Association here, said the judiciary played a pivotal role in democracy and expressed hope that there would be continued cooperation between the judiciary and the government.

“The government willl file a revision petition in the high court to take over the 210 MW Luhri hydropower project stage-I, 66 MW Dhaula-Sidh and 382 MW Sunni power projects,” he stated. He added that if the executing companies violate the terms and conditions of the government, these projects would be acquired by the state.

Sukhu said the state had experienced an investment drain in recent years and all steps would be taken to safeguard its interests.

Sukhu said necessary legal amendments had been made to bring significant improvement in various sectors as education, healthcare and revenue. The positive outcomes of these reforms were reflected in the state government’s first two budgets, benefiting all the sections of society, he added.

He said the state government was focusing on financial discipline and reforms to address the economic challenges inherited from the previous BJP government. He claimed there was no financial crisis in Himachal.

“The government would not have been able to reinstate the old pension scheme to its employees and Rs 1,500 per month pensions for women, had there been a financial crisis and my government is working with financial prudence,” said Sukhu.

Advocate General Anoop Rattan welcomed the Chief Minister. Dilip Kayath, president of the Himachal Pradesh High Court Bar Association, presented a demand memorandum to the Chief Minister who assured that it would be considered sympathetically.