Shimla, June 02: The Centre has rejected a request by Himachal Pradesh government asking for equity participation in 2051 mw Parvati hydel project and other large power projects, saying it is not possible to renegotiate the ongoing projects. Union Power Minister Anant Geete, who met Chief Minister V B Singh today, told reporters here that Singh had raised the issue of equity participation in mega projects like Parvati (2051 mw) and Koldam (800 mw), but it would not be possible to renegotiate the ongoing projects and equity participation would be considered in future projects.
The Chief Minister, who was present beside Geete, however, stuck to his stand, saying his government believed that equity participation should be allowed in ongoing projects as the Centre and the state government could easily renegotiate the agreements.
Singh said the issue of equity participation was all the more important when a question mark had been put on continuation of policy of giving 12 per cent free power as royalty to the resource state.
Geete also announced that the execution of 439 mw Rampur hydro power project in Rampur area of Shimla district would be entrusted to Sutlej Jal Vidyut Nigam (SJVN) that is executing the 1500 mw Nathpa-Jhakri hydro-power project in Kinnaur and Shimla districts.
Singh said the government had agreed in principle to hand over the execution of Rampur project to SJVN provided it improved its past record and carried out the work expeditiously. The project authorities should also ensure that local people were given preference in employment and state's interests were protected, Singh added. Bureau Report