State Govt. for speedy exploitation of hydel potential

Deep Joshi , 14 June : Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister, said that the State would exploit identified hydel potential expeditiously by involving Public and Private Sectors with a view generating revenue to state exchequer on the one hand and meeting the energy requirements of the country on the other. He was interacting with a high level delegation of the Himalaya Power Producers Association, which called on him here last evening led of its President Shri Arun Sharma.

Chief Minister said that the state had identified 21,000 MW hydel potential out of which about 35 percent had been exploited so far. He said that State had targeted generation of 12,000 MW hydel power by the year 2012. He said that there was immense potential to generate employment to the local youth besides contributing significantly towards the socio-economic upliftment of the people by way hydel power generation.

Prof. Dhumal said that the State would welcome the cooperation of the private players with regard to identification of more unidentified hydel potential and get all such projects completed in a time bound manner. He said that while allotting the projects the provisions of the Power Policy of the State were being adhered to and interests of the local people and the state being safeguarded. He said that it had been ensured that such projects did not damage the ecology of the state in any manner and the project authorities are being asked to implement the catchment area treatment plan to keep the area green and eco friendly by carrying the plantation work simultaneously with the construction work. He said that an attractive relief and rehabilitation package had also been made mandatory to be delivered to the project affected families with preference to them in employment and self employment activities.

Chief Minister assured the delegation that the State Government would extend all possible assistance to them in accomplishment of their goal for speedy exploitation of the hydel potential.