Himachalis getting preference for power projects
Tribune News Service

Shimla, February 13
Besides giving preference to Himachalis in the allotment of power projects up to 5 MW, the government will ask financial institution like Cooperative Bank to extend help to Himachali youth for setting up projects.

This was stated by Chief Minister PK Dhumal during question hour in the assembly today. He was replying to a query by Kuldeep Pathania and Kaul Singh Thakur of the Congress, regarding amendments in the power policy.

“The changes that have been effected are to ensure that Himachalis are given preference and the state gets maximum possible benefit in the long run,” he said.

Pathania said the government must ensure that Himachali youths get preference and also consider waiving off the condition of payment of upfront premium for projects up to 5 MW.

“It is next to impossible for Himachali youths to raise such huge amount of upfront premium, which is why they join hands with outsiders, leading to corruption and irregularities,” he said.

Dhumal said preference was being given to Himachali youths in the allotment of power projects up to 5 MW and banks would also be urged to help them in arranging the finances.

Dhumal said the government had decided to do away with the system of giving upfront premium and fixed Rs 20 lakh per MW, besides free power on long-term basis.

“The kind of quotations that we are getting in this regard are very encouraging. In one offer, the state could get 56.11 per cent power during the last 30 to 40 years of the project,” he stated.

He also defended the decision of the government to allow sale of power by independent power producers to any agency