Govt to re-advertise 7 power projects
Tribune News Service

Shimla, November 9
The state government has decided to re-advertise seven major hydroelectric power projects in accordance with the latest Power Policy. The projects, for which fresh tenders will be invited, include Dugar (236 MW); Kilhi Bahl (7.5 MW); Mane Nadang (70 MW); Lara (60 MW); Tingret (81 MW); Kuling Lara (40 MW) and Suil (13 MW).

The decision was taken at a Cabinet meeting held under the chairmanship of Chief Minister PK Dhumal here today. The Cabinet accepted the recommendations of the Himachal Pradesh Infrastructure Development Board with regard to claiming of free power royalty from the independent power producers of projects up to 5 MW as per the revised policy in cases where implementation agreements are yet to be made.

It also gave nod for the revised health insurance scheme for handloom weavers. In all, 16,000 weavers will be covered under the scheme during the current year. The beneficiaries will be eligible to spend up to Rs 7,500 per annum for outdoor treatment in enlisted hospitals and up to Rs 15,000 for indoor treatment by paying a premium of Rs 95.20.

The Cabinet also recommended convening of the Winter Session of the Vidhan Sabha to be held at Dharamsala from December 14-21 and approved guidelines for setting up of universities in the private sector. Concerned over the increasing road accidents, it decided to make licensing regime more stringent and stringently enforce provisions of the Motors Vehicle Act. To curb reckless driving, violation and non-adherence of timetable by stage carriage operators, offences will be compounded under Section 192-A of the Act under which penalty ranging between Rs 2,000 and Rs 10,000 could be imposed.

It granted permission for Common Entrance Test for admission to JBT Course and decided to invite Expression of Interests for the construction of ropeways from Neugal to (Kandi) Palampur and Shah Talai to Deoth Siddh.